Monthly Archives: February 2013

Career Development

Make Your Boss Look Good, & You’ll Fly High!

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What I’m about to say here applies to any person in paid employment. If you can learn to study and understand what needs to happen to make your boss look good at her job, she’ll do everything in her power to reward and also make you look good in return. Your position in the company or organisation you work for does not matter. Except you’re the top gun or CEO, the simple principles I describe in this article can help you achieve your ultimate career advancement goal in record time.

Why Am I So Sure?

My conviction derives both from personal experience gained in my past life as a high performing corporate employee, as well as my careful observation of successful executives within and outside the workplace.

Under normal conditions, in an organisation that emphasize merit and fairness, employees who get ahead in the workplace are often those recognised by decision makers as being capable of delivering the best benefits to the company.

As an employee I routinely and repeatedly applied the principles I describe in this piece with tremendous success.

Not only did I get rapidly recognised by those at the top of the management hierarchy, but I did it so well that at a point my immediate boss had difficulty holding on to me, because his colleagues relentlessly demanded access to me.

If you’ve read my writing a while, I’m sure you know nothing I do in this regard is an ego trip. I’ve had former colleagues and subordinates ask me for advice on how to replicate the successes I achieved while I was with them.

One of my former direct reports even travelled down to attend a paid coaching session with me.

He said:

“I want to be considered among the top three performers in my function. What do I need to do?”

And I told him what I now outline below in this article.

When next I heard from him, he wrote a long email telling me wonderful progress his diligence in applying what I taught him had brought.

Below are excerpts from that email:

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From: “oseyi emmanul”

To: “Tayo Solagbade”

Subject: update

Great Mentor,

You are really a great mentor. your principles are real and they work. Since the beginning of this year alot of things have happened.

Top among them is the writing of assessment tests for our new line–Line 7. Out of 256 candidates, 75 were selected and out of the 75, 8 technicians were selected to go abroad for training of which I was among. We’ve been to Germany, stayed for 3weeks and now we are back.

Each step I’ve taken ever since you left has been with at least one word from you. It is as if you knew before time the steps and so you left at least a word for each.

For the present step, I remember very well what you said–the reward for hard work is more work. This you said just before you went to act as the production manager…What has happened so far, was firmly placed in me the last time I visited you…text deleted

But I believe you know it has not been easy. The road has been rough and in the roughness is our fineness made. In the toughness is our strength revealed. I remember one of your words-the man who is weak in trials is weak indeed and the man who is strong, who perseveres during tough times is actually strong.

These are what is keeping me going. You sent me a web address for prof. exams. That is still intact and will come up in due course. Expectin(g) to hear from you soon.

…..text deleted….

Best wishes, Emma

Here’s What I Told Him – Which I Now Tell YOU

1. Find out – tactfully – the 5 top performance objectives or targets that your boss has her eyes set on achieving.

It’s easy to do.

Just pay careful attention to what she says her own superiors often demand from her. What output or performance data do they frequently request.

Then note how she reacts to the reports you and the rest of the team turn out with respect to those key performance indicators (KPIs)?

2. Once you’ve gotten a firm idea of what she considers most important for her to look good on her job, go out of your way to learn EVERYTHING there is to know about all those KPIs.

Don’t spare yourself here.

Make up your mind to become the number one authority on those parameters in your boss’ team, and if possible the company as a whole.

You’ll know you’ve succeeded when she, and other decision makers, and of course your colleagues, begin asking for your input or advice/opinion when issues relating to the KPIs arise.

3. Go even further to actively explore practical ways to develop and implement useful improvements (possibly in terms of expenses or time saved) to the performance of the processes or operations measured by the KPI.

Let me warn against a mistake many tend to make when this opportunity appears.

Don’t see it as extra work that you need to be paid for.

Focus on the big picture here.

If you influence the introduction of a better way of doing things that result in more money being made, or less being spent, there will be increased profits accruing to the business.

And if, as I noted at the start of this piece, your company is one that deals fairly with her employees, there will come a time when bonuses or some other forms of reward will be passed on to employees.

If you do this right, your boss will often be given credit as the head of your team, for the benefits the company derives from use of your ideas.

Don’t fret though.

Your efforts will not go unnoticed, but it could take a little while, as long as you keep doing more, for your boss and other decision makers to directly reward you.

4. Don’t. I repeat DO NOT play politics, do flattery or be a psycophant in relating with your boss.

If you want this strategy to work for you, integrity and sincerity must show through in your interactions with her and everyone else.

Make a point of asking her for updates on those top 5 measures.

Be alert to her responses, so you can seize any useful opportunities to propose any new ideas you may have. You’ll find that with time she’ll readily initiate conversations with you on that subject based on the interest you’ve shown.

Believe me when I say that will be a good sign that she values your contributions. You must not fail to build on that success to gain her full confidence!

If you do it right, don’t be surprised if when she has to go away for a few days she recommends that management bring you in to hold brief for her until she returns. That’s how it happens!

5. Your job must not suffer any neglect: At the risk of stating the obvious, you must never be found wanting on your job.

Indeed, successful use of this principle is based on the premise that you will devote relevant attention to exceeding performance expectations at your primary duties.

People must see that you have absolute mastery of your responsibilities, so that when you then volunteer your ideas to them, they will have no cause to raise eyebrows at your gesture!

6. Lastly, it’s important to realize that your job title or position in the company should not stop you from proposing an idea you believe can help the company.

Anyone can come up with a solution that works.

Smart companies realize that, and that’s why they encourage and reward any of their employees for coming up with great ideas that lead to improvements.

Final Words

The above is a summary of what I told the young man who sent me the above testimonial.

Keep in mind that just like me, the rewards did not come to him overnight.

But if you diligently and intelligently persist, like he did, you’ll gradually make a name for yourself. And eventually those who matter – starting with your delighted boss – will begin to reckon with you and reward you accordingly.

Need Help?

If you’d like me to talk with you and help you develop an action plan for getting ahead in your workplace signup for my experience based coaching/consultation.

Self-Development

What If You Lose Everything?

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In Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich, he mentioned that in response to a question about what he would do if he lost his entire fortune, Henry Ford replied:

“I’d have it all back in 5 years.”

That kind of response would normally have been put down to over confidence or arrogance. However those familiar with Ford’s antecedents had little doubt that he could do what he said.

Infact, it was that same mental attitude that enabled him push his team of highly trained (though self doubting) engineers to develop an engine that made car ownership affordable for the masses.

Though a Stark Illiterate, Ford Was a Man of Education

An educated person is one who knows how to apply the knowledge he has, to achieve the goal he has set for himself.

Henry Ford started out as a stark illiterate working for Thomas Edison until he became a supervisor.

Nothing that I’ve read about him suggests that Ford enrolled for studies in a formal institution. Instead, he worked in an organisation where he was exposed to creative use of the human mind for the purpose of producing useful inventions.

And he had the unique priviledge of watching a master at work: Thomas Alva Edison – one of the greatest and most prolific inventors the world has ever seen.

Based on the above, it’s no surprise that Ford eventually got to a point where he began getting his own creative ideas to develop useful solutions. Hill mentions in his book that Ford got an idea to develop a new type of engine that would be cheap to manufacture and consequently make it possible for the non-rich to afford them.

Edison saw no merit in the idea when Ford proposed it to the renowned inventor at the time. Instead he offered the latter a promotion to drop the idea and focus on “more useful” activities he (Edison) had planned.

But Ford was convinced, and quit his job to pursue the idea he had. Since he was not schooled, he hired those with relevant engineering training and told them what he wanted.

That step reflected the depth of his real world education. Rather than try to get an engineering degree to do it himself, he wisely assembled the best qualified engineers he could find and challenged them to produce the result he wanted.

Here is a useful point to note:

Mainly because Ford had no schooling, he used his experience from exposure to creative processes under Edison as a basis for developing his own ideas.

It is also worth noting here that Edison himself achieved his amazing feats of invention despite having only a few months of schooling exposure.

So both men had poor schooling in common. Yet despite having this handicap, they would shake the world with the solutions they developed!

Ford Acknowledged Few, (If At All Any) Limitations

Now, when Ford told his well schooled engineers what he wanted, they were quick to tell him it was impossible to build such a car engine. Again and again he told them to go back and keep trying, but each time they returned saying they’d tried and it was not possible.

“I want it, and I’ll have it!” he reportedly told them. So they went back, kept at it, and eventually the new car engine was born!

The above story depicts an interesting trend:

People with less schooling seem to be less conditioned to recognise obstacles or limitations of any sort, when in pursuit of a valued goal.

In contrast, well schooled persons, especially those who have studied up to tertiary level in traditional institutions frequently tend to be strongly influenced by unspoken rules, guidelines and a general need to seek consent or agreement/approval from others before they can go after what they want.

Their exposure to the regulated schooling system which subtly discourages contrarian thinking and action often conditions them to act that way.

To Succeed You Must Commit To Learning & Applying What You Learn Continually

A quote credited to Alan Toffer reads:

“The illiterate of the 21 will not be those who cannot read or write. They will be those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” – Alan Toffer

Henry Ford understood the above truth. And that was why he could confidently state that he would rebuild his financial fortune within 5 years, if he lost it.

Those of us who are better schooled than he was can learn from his example. We must actively engage in learning how to improve our knowledge, attitudes and skills towards organising resources available to us to achieve our goals.

That process will ultimately lead us to a level of mastery at which we, like Ford back in his time, will be confident that we can bounce back in 5 years or less if for any reason we lose the wealth we’ve acquired.

One great benefit of achieving the above mentioned state, is that you’ll always have peace of mind. You’ll be free from fears, worries or anxieties about losing what you have, because you know you’ve done it before and you’re sure you can do it again.

As a result, you’re unlikely to be found guilty of acting desperate in times of crisis. Persons who acquire their own wealth or fortunes through crooked or questionable means will rarely behave in the manner Ford did. And they are certainly unlikely to be willing to consider the possibility of losing their wealth, talk less of answering to the question: “What if you lose everything?”

Entrepreneurship

How Flexible Should Your Fees or Prices Be?

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I have yet to meet one person who started a real business without expecting to make a profit. Even if you’re not one to obsess over money or material wealth, and you actually have a great emotional investment in the venture, you still need to make profits if you plan to keep going for the long term.

Most people know this. And yet many repeatedly do the opposite, basically sabotaging themselves, by failing to do business in ways that enhance their ability to make profits, and not just money.

I used to struggle with this problem of making every transaction I had with clients profitable. Especially in the early years when I was still not sure if turning down any client, no matter how poorly he offered to pay, could ever be a wise thing to do.

Over the years, I’ve arrived at what I consider a balanced approach to dealing with the challenge.

Below I offer some insights based on my experiences since 2002 till date.

Making Yourself Popular By Being “Price Flexible”: How Far Should You Go?

It’s a known fact that finding clients willing to pay well can be a difficult feat to accomplish on a regular basis.

That’s why some people argue that you have to take bread and butter jobs at times, if business is slow.

When one is starting up, or yet to fully establish, doing that could help to keep things going.

However, at some point you’d need to draw the line.

Even if you badly need new business, it’s crucial that you do not give clients the impression that they can get your services for almost any amount they propose to you because your fees are “flexible”!

Taking on projects without showing consistency in the way you price your offers will damage your credibility, and make the client lose respect for you.

Let me explain.

I’ve never had problems learning new stuff. And that’s because I’m very comfortable asking questions when I don’t know.

Winging it never crosses my mind because I know it often yields more costly and painful outcome later on, after the initial short term benefit.

So, when I struggled in the first few years after I became an entrepreneur, to find clients willing to pay me profitably to develop custom spreadsheet software for them for instance, I asked service providers I knew for help with ideas.

One thing most of them emphasized was the need to avoid being rigid in setting one’s fees, especially when dealing with potential clients.

One way to do this is to use a low risk entry offer to get them on board, and then sell them on your main profit generating offer.

The problem I found with doing the above is that it only works well when you’re dealing with prospects or clients who are fair minded and sincere.

Those who are not are rarely satisfied with any concessions you give them. Rather, they’ll push to get you to do more without offering equivalent benefit to you.

You’re Better Off Setting Standards & Guidelines for Choosing Clients to Work With

After having the unpleasant experience mentioned above more times than I could endure, I decided it was time to find a new way.

So I read widely about methods used and recommended by other service providers mainly online, and made an interesting discovery: the problem I was having was common everywhere!

Clients behave in strangely similar ways in many different parts of the world :-)

Ultimately, each person has to adopt a procedure that ensures he ends up working with the right kind of client at the right kind of rate (read: profitable).

But it does not end there. Being confident of your resolve to deliver on your promise to the client, you must also make her aware of the terms and conditions under which she can reasonably expect you to continue honouring that commitment.

Some people describe the above process as “training their clients”. And in a sense, that’s what it implies.

The clients you choose to work with will be those who accept that you have the competence to give them the results they want.

Such individuals will by implication appreciate that they cannot, for instance, dictate how you should do your work for them. Instead, they’ll abide by agreements reached with you, and gladly follow your lead as you implement the solution.

The interesting thing is that since you are committed and competent, clients who make it easy for you to serve them as outline above, will (all things being equal)
always get what they want from you i.e satisfactory service.

What’s more, since your client recruitment process would have confirmed they are fair minded, there’s a good chance therefore that they’ll openly acknowledge your contributions via testimonials, word of mouth referrals and possibly repeat business as well.

When you think about it, such rewards are bound to eventually make you popular in the market you serve.

Only in this case you would not be popular for being a cheap alternative service provider.

Instead clients would rave about your ability to reliably make their problems go away, or to produce a benefit they desire at a fee that they are happy to pay.

Final Words

Getting clients to work with you as described above won’t be easy.

But if you’re serious about doing business more predictably, it’s a step you need to take.

By the time you have your own method in place, you’ll discover that handling clients and prospects will become almost effortless for you.

And then doing the work you enjoy so much will really be fun – just as it earns you both profits and popularity.

There is absolutely no reason why you cannot have all three benefits (i.e fun, profits and popularity), if you consistently do a good job.

Don’t settle for less.

Public Speaking

Success Is A Lousy Teacher – Bill Gates

The above title is a verbatim excerpt of the first of two phrases comprising an insightful quote credited to Microsoft founder, Bill Gates. When I first read it, I instantly said to myself: “That’s TRUE!” And Mr. Gates should know – having enjoyed years of continuous successes prior to his anti-trust experiences.

The quote reads in full as follows:

“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates (Source: Page 163 of Readers Digest, readersdigest.com 8/2010)

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Publication: Tayo Solagbade’s Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Page (PSIP) Newsletter

Date: Monday 25th February 2013

No: 78

Title: Success Is A Lousy Teacher – Bill Gates

Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [234-803-302-1263]

Blog URL: http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com/blog

Archive (For E-mail only version started 14th May 2012): Click here to view

Archive (For Blog version started 24th September 2011): Click here

Hi,

Please find below the latest issue of my weekly Public Speaking Ideas page for 2013. 

SD Nuggets Blog™

 New posts from last week that may interest you!
Public Speaking

[Monday]:

Entrepreneurship [Tuesday]:

Self Development [Wednesday]:

Career Development [Thursday]:

Parenting [Friday]:

Writing/Blogging [Saturday]:
Writing/Blogging [Sunday]:
Want me to write for you? Click here…

Coming Soon

(In Video, Audio, And Also As A PowerPoint Slide show Presentation!)

Click to view larger screenshot - How African Experts and CEOs Can Use Public Speaking To Win Buyers and Save Money!

I’ll be sending out links to the video narrated version of the above presentation in a few weeks. It’s an Educational Commercial designed to help experts (sales/marketing experts, business executives, entrepreneurs etc) understand the tremendous promotional benefits of public speaking.

It features a special message from Burt Dubin, a renowned mentor of some of the world’s highest paid speakers. There’ll also be a video message from Claude Moller, a highly sought after conference speaker and coach, based in South Africa, who enjoys national and international level success that proves the ideas advocated in this presentation work.

Get Notified When It Goes Live – Click HERE!

 

No. 78: Success Is A Lousy Teacher – Bill Gates

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NB: If you ever find yourself wondering what else I’ve written, some days after you’ve read THIS Speaking Ideas newsletter I send out on a Monday, here’s what you can do to find out: Point your browser to www.sdacademy.org to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule :-)

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The above title is a verbatim excerpt of the first of two phrases comprising an insightful quote credited to Microsoft founder, Bill Gates. When I first read it, I instantly said to myself: “That’s TRUE!” And Mr. Gates should know – having enjoyed years of continuous successes prior to his anti-trust experiences.

The quote reads in full as follows:

“Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” – Bill Gates (Source: Page 163 of Readers Digest, readersdigest.com 8/2010)

Success Can Set You Up To Fail, If You’re Careless

Sometimes a person succeeds at first attempt in a chosen endeavour. It could be a totally new field or one previously existing. In some cases, she may inherit success from another e.g. a successful family business passed down from parent to child.

However, except proper orientation/coaching is given to her, there’s a real danger she may be unable to maintain that level of success, once she’s left alone.

That’s why I believe that a person who claims never to have failed (if he’s telling the truth) has yet to fully test himself in the sea of life’s challenges. Indeed I would argue that such a person is not yet fully formed, and can lay no legitimate claim to being successful in the real sense of the word.

This is because success on its own lacks the ingredients to deliver adequate useful instruction for its perpetuation. That crucial input is most often provided by failure. I say this from very personal experience – and also from studying the lives and writings of many successful people.

Below, I discuss 3 major areas in which I’ve found success to be a poor teacher:

1. Success Will Not Drive You to Constantly Create & Innovate

It’s failure that does that. When you become successful as a speaker, unless you’re disciplined about it, you may feel no need to keep creating and innovating. After all, you’ll be getting invited and well paid to speak. And you’ll be applauded often.

But that’s where the danger lies: Successful people tend to be in great demand. This leaves them less time to “think” of ways to improve. Some become complacent as a result, so that when more competent rivals show up, they end up losing out.

Question: Have you recently created any new speaking programs, materials, and other useful content that you can offer your target market? Do you have a plan for researching that, so you can always offer a constant flow of new content to attract meeting planners? Have you considered converting your content to formats that could generate passive income for you – and at the same time consolidate your brand presence?

Click here to view examples of thought leading information products created by Burt Dubin, with some of the world’s highest paid speakers attesting to the value he offers.

2. Success Will Not Compel You to Monitor Important Trends

Again it’s the experience of failure that does that. People who failed often admit looking back to analyze why. Upon identifying the cause of their setback, they formed the habit of monitoring relevant trends, to avoid a future mishap.

Again it takes being disciplined to keep this up once success has been achieved. For those who fail to establish that mindset, they end up losing when they least expect it.

Question: What’s changed (or changing) in your target market? How are events being organized or sponsored now, compared to last year or two? Is there something you can change in your marketing strategy to get better attention from potential clients? Are there new topics that seem to interest decision makers more, that you need to develop your expertise on?

Burt Dubin’s Speaking Success System is based on over 2 decades of relentless research on the latest developments and trends in the speaking business. Click here to learn more.

3. Success Will Not Challenge You to be Frugal

Success allows you to get easily reckless if you choose to. Unlike failure, which causes you to stop, step back and think more carefully, about all you did, and want to do.

Dan Kennedy once wrote that he had become convinced that being adequately capitalized can actually be more of a curse than a blessing for a business.

And that’s because human nature thrives most when a little deprivation exists. The truth is that an atmosphere of abundance does not evoke the desire to conserve resources.

A successful person is so described because she’s doing well. Quite often in society, that implies she’s getting handsomely rewarded in material and monetary terms. Such absence of lack can make the uninitiated individual fail to apply common sense. So you could have her failing to be prudent in spending/using resources.

Question: Does it make sense to go mailing out volumes of printed information pack to meeting planners you’ve never spoken with? Email can be used to make first contact and establish potential interest in your speaking services. So can the telephone. They help you reduce the number of people you may have to use expensive paper based correspondence to initiate contact with.

Signup for public speaking mentoring with Burt Dubin, and learn his proven secrets for achieving speaking business success, without throwing your money away. If you’re based in Africa, tell him I sent you, and he’ll make you a surprise offer you’ll find hard to resist.

Need More Details of How to Make The Above Ideas Work for YOUR Company?

If you need more specific details of how to make use of the ideas I’ve shared in this newsletter, call me on 234-803-302-1263 or email tayo at tksola dot com.

Alternatively, send me a message using this request form (with “Re: Success Is A Lousy Teacher!” in the subject line).

Click now

Have a lovely week!

Tayo K. Solagbade*

Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist

*Sole Agent For Burt Dubin’s Speaker Mentoring Service In Africa

Mobile: 234-803-302-1263

http://www.spontaneousdevelopment.com

Tayo Solagbade is a Performance Improvement Specialist & multipreneur. He works with individuals/businesses who want to achieve highly profitable outcomes, and also with parents who want to raise real-world competent children.

Tayo earns multiple streams of income providing clients with performance improvement training/coaching, custom MS Excel-VB solutions, web marketing systems, freelance writing services, and best practice extension support services (for farm business owners).

When he’s not amazing clients with his superhuman skills (wink), Tayo works as the creative force behind his Self-Development Nuggets™ blog, and Public Speaking IDEAS newsletter (which he publishes to promote Burt Dubin’s Public Speaking Mentoring service to experts working across the African continent).

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Have you been undecided about whether or not to become a paid speaker? Or have you been trying to get your speaking career off the ground with little success?

Here’s a tip: Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his website NOW and submit a contact form message telling him what challenges you’re facing, and how you’d like him to help you. Tell him I sent you, and you’ll get a pleasant surprise offer from him.

Comments?

What do you think of the above message? Do you have any personal experience to share on this subject? Are there some other points you feel can be added, to help persons looking for answers? Please share your thoughts!

Share this issue!

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What fears or doubts are keeping you from (a) taking up Burt Dubin’s monthly speaker mentoring, or (b) buying his products?

You can choose to purchase Burt’s mentoring at any of the three (3) levels listed below:

1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Burt’s three mentoring packages can be likened to the seating options offered by airlines: Budget Delight (Economy); Mid Range (Business); and Top Shelf (First Class).

At least that’s how I like to think of them!

All three will get you to your desired destination of “speaking success-ville” – so long as you meet the requirements/play your part well (your fare, abide by the set guidelines etc). During the “flight”, the seat you have will determine how much personal service attention and preference the provider will accord you. It’s that simple :-)

So, make your choice:1. Top Shelf [Click here] | 2. Mid Range [Click here] | 3. Budget Delight [Click here]

Send me an e-mail with your questions via tayo at tksola dot com. In the meantime, why not get started by subscribing here to get his 7-Part Course (How To Succeed And Get Paid As A Professional Speaker) .  . . and receive his monthly newsletter (Speaking Biz Strategies Letter) at no cost.

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Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

My Recommended Posts for WE 23 Feb 2013 | The #1 Thing You Need to Be Successful In Life | King of the Online Jungle: The Early Years of Jeff Bezos | How A Guy With A Full Time Job Built A $2,000 A Month AdSense Income Niche Site And Then Sold It For $200,000 – Patrick Meninga Tells His Story

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As a Performance Improvement Specialist, I diligently apply Continuous Improvement principles in my personal and work life, and have consistently achieved great progress as a result.

To this end I’m always keen on researching successful people in various areas of endeavour. I do this not just for myself, but also to improve the variety and depth of insights I can deliver to my personal improvement coaching/consulting clients.

This past week, my efforts yielded the following 3 articles that I thoroughly enjoyed reading:

1. The #1 Thing You Need to Be Successful in Life (That Nobody Talks About) – By Darwin

In this detailed article, Darwin highlights a fundamental ingredient (which he calls “Deferral Of Instant Gratification”) required for success, which too many people fail to identify.

As a result, they often end up sabotaging themselves in their pursuit of success. Interestingly, this ingredient is featured in Daniel Goleman’s bestselling book (titled “Emotional Intelligence”) as a key attribute of Emotionally Intelligent people – a group to which many successful entrepreneurs belong.

Goleman simply called it the habit of Delayed Gratification. Another little book titled “The Millionaire Next Door” by Stanley and Danko also identifies this willingness to put off instant gratification in service of an important future goal as a key strategy employed by majority of the wealthy Americans studied over 2 decades.

The above makes it obvious that what Darwin says in his article is known to work. And yet only few who aspire for success act like they understand that simple but powerful principle!

That’s why I believe this article is aptly titled. Too many people just don’t “get it”…that thrift, frugality and a generally conservative approach to doing things will greatly enhance their chances of success in any areas of endeavour.

Darwin’s article offers many useful examples and analogies…including an entertaining comments thread!

Click here to read it.

2. King of the Online Jungle: The Early Years of Jeff Bezos – By Evan Carmichael

Jeff Bezos needs no introduction. Everyone knows he created the modern day online book selling miracle known to us all as Amazon.com.

What many may not know however, is who he was/what he did BEFORE starting that company. And more importantly how he achieved his astounding success.

This is quite important when you consider the following famous quote credited to him about discouraging advice he received from those he turned to for guidance:

“Every well-intentioned, high-judgment person we asked told us not to do it,” – Jeff Bezos

This article offers very valuable lessons, and powerful insights. Most important being that if you are reasonably convinced of the workability of your ideas, don’t let anyone – no matter their qualifications, reputations or achievements – discourage you from following your instincts. Success may lie ahead of you, just waiting for you to act on your convictions!

Read the article here.

3. How A Guy With A Full Time Job Built A $2,000 A Month AdSense Income Niche Site And Then Sold It For $200,000 – Patrick Meninga Tells His Story (Interview By Yaro Starak)

The title says it all. And from listening to the podcast (available as an MP3 download from Yaro’s website, I can tell you there’s no hype in there.

If you’ve not heard or read Patrick Meninga‘s story before, THIS incisive and indepth interview conducted by Yaro delivers the most detailed insights anyone could ever hope to get, on the amazing success story of the “Skinny Ninja” (as Patrick is known in some Internet circles)

The most noteworthy takeaway for me was Patrick’s emphasis on the fact that his success was far from being overnight. He worked many long hours for months on end, to make little progress in traffic and income.
For 2 years he was still working to get the formula for success right. And there were times when his massive work rate (e.g 20 to 25 articles per day – each not less than 600 words long) yielded seemingly no significant results.

He did all this while working a 9 to 5 job. He kept at it. And eventually his persistence paid off.

Click here to read Yaro’s preview.

You’ll see the download link to the 28MB podcast MP3. Take it from me: you don’t want to leave that page without listening to that interview!

Writing/Blogging

3 Important Truths About Writing for a Living

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With the global jobs market shrinking, many people across the world are turning to writing as a part-time or full-time source of income. And why not? Writing is something virtually anyone with interest and motivation can do successfully. Especially with access to proper guidance. Prospects however vary from one location to another. This article discusses 3 realities aspiring writers in different socioeconomic environments may have to contend with in their pursuit of paid writing success.

1. Reading and Writing Go Together

You cannot have one without the other. Many writers draw inspiration from reading the writing of contemporaries, and sometimes from studying the works of writers from earlier times e.g Shakespeare etc. The latter were mostly thought leaders in their time, and communicated their ideas and philosophies mainly through writing and public speaking debates.

“Reading usually precedes writing and the impulse to write is almost always fired by reading. Reading, the love of reading, is what makes you dream of becoming a writer.” – Susan Sontag

I got a good laugh few years ago when I read a newspaper interview in which Chimamanda Adichie, award winning author of Purple Hibiscus highlighted the faulty reasoning holding some aspiring authors back.

She gave the example of a young man who requested for her help to improve his writing. When she asked him what books he had read, he replied that he did not have time to read!

She promptly told him a writer who cannot make out time to read, cannot reasonably expect to achieve any worthwhile progress in writing.
Very true.

2. Thinking Is Essential To Ensuring Quality Reading & Writing

In between the reading and writing, a lot of thinking often has to happen. And it is that thinking process, when diligently done by the writer that enables her turn out what will be considered a new or unique body of writing to complement what already exists.

It does not matter what your field of writing interest is. These principles are universally relevant. And anyone who wishes to make headway in writing will have to apply them diligently.

To appreciate good writing, readers will often need to be comfortable with doing a reasonable amount of thinking. An aversion for reflective thinking generally makes reading a burdensome task for most people. One reason for that is the poor introduction many get to reading in the formal schooling system.

3. Reading Cultures Determine Viability of Writing As a Profession

Not surprisingly, some of the best writing (and writers) in the world come(s) from parts of the world where a healthy reading and thinking culture exists.

Generally, writing for a living in such climes confers an amount of prestige, and depending on a number of other factors, the financial rewards can be substantial.

On the other hand, societies with poor reading and thinking cultures tend to have writing as a profession looked down upon by the larger majority. This is understandable, and to be expected, since writers out there are unlikely to command enough readership to earn enough income for their efforts.

However, some writers who originate from such societies, if driven enough by desire, can (and have) successfully exported their writing abroad, where they consequently earn(ed) great recognition and reward for their works at an international level.

Ironically, back home their people will readily celebrate such writers’ successes, but it rarely influences them to improve their poor reading habits.

A striking example is the internationally accomplished dramatist and playwright whose books, 2 decades after he won the Nobel prize for literature, have still not been read by an overwhelming majority of adults in his native country!

Final Words: Your Success Is Up To You

Having said the above, it ultimately boils down to the individual, and how far she’s willing to go to succeed.

The Internet has removed the barrier of distance from the equation for most people, making it easy for them to showcase their written works, and skills, to a potentially unlimited audience, regardless of where the writer is based.

Therefore, if you are a writer, or one aspiring, the sky is literally speaking truly your limit. Just do plenty of good reading and thinking, and turn out your written works of art for paying clients and customers to enjoy!

Parenting

Without This Skill, Your Child Could Be In Danger!

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There’s a hilarious joke I love, about a pet parrot (let’s call him Oscar) that relentlessly taunted it’s owner’s new girlfriend for being “ugly” until she got mad and left him. In this article I narrate my “pimped” version of that joke to illustrate how having critical thinking skills can make anyone – including kids – more discerning, and capable of independent thought. I also offer real life examples of how otherwise good people who are not emancipated thinkers, can be easily misled into doing wrong and/or joining cults, gangs, or even terrorist groups!

Oscar The Parrot Meets His Owner’s New Girl – and Does Not Like Her

Osaro met Caro at a friend’s party, and they instantly hit it off. Compared to Lara, his last girl, Caro did not measure up in the looks department. But she made up for it with her wonderful personality.

One day Osaro invited Caro to his apartment. As she followed him into the living room, his pet parrot, Oscar (who Osaro had just pointed out to Caro), called out in a croaky voice in pidgin english:

“Osaro, but dis your new girl ugly O!”

Translation: “But Osaro, this new girl of yours sure IS ugly!”

On hearing this, Caro was naturally upset, and said to Osaro:

“Did you hear what your parrot said about me? I thought you said he was nice?”

Osaro apologised profusely to her, and told her he would warn the parrot. Walking up to the latter’s cage he hissed at Oscar:

“Next time I hear you make such a stupid remark about her, I’ll deal severely with you”.

2 weeks later, Caro came visiting again. Osaro had just had his bath when she knocked. As he led her past the cage, the wily parrot kept mum.

Having served her a drink, Osaro excused himself to go and finish dressing up for their lunch date.

The parrot waited till it was sure Osaro was out of earshot. Then in a lowered voice it called out to the seated girl:

“Ehn, but no vex O Caro. I neva see person wey ugly reach you enter this house before. Dats why I just no fit help myself.”

Caro did a double take:

“What? This crazy parrot dares to insult me again?” she screamed.

Osaro rushed out from his room saying “Honey, what happened?”

In a tearful voice she told him what the parrot said:

“Look, if you don’t get that crazy bird to stop insulting me, I’ll stop coming to your house!”

Osaro was incensed. Walking up to the cage, he grabbed it and shook it with the rage he felt, till he noticed a few feathers falling out. T hen biting off each word he said:

“You stupid bird. You think because you’ve been with me for years, I can’t get rid of you? Well you’re wrong. This is the last warning I’m going to give you. Keep your opinion to yourself. To me she looks pretty enough. Next time this happens, I won’t stop at shaking the cage, and by time I’m done with you, you’ll regret ever knowing me!”

With that he roughly dropped the cage back on its stand and went out with Caro, who was still sobbing.

Eventually, Oscar’s Big Mouth (or Beak?) Makes Them Break Up

Probably because of her last unpleasant experience, it was well over a month before Caro accepted to visit Osaro at home again.

As the day approached, Osaro made good his promise to sternly warn his parrot to watch its mouth during her visit. Virtually every day he issued reminders and threats of bodily harm to the talkative bird.

By the d-day, the bird looked thoroughly sobered up and subdued, and Osas was confident his planned candlelight dinner at home with Caro would go without any mishaps.

Sure enough, they had a lovely time together. After dinner they watched movies and had drinks, played games on the computer etc.

Too soon (for Osaro at least) it was time to take her home. He made a mental note to reward Oscar for his excellent conduct. Not a sound had come from him since Caro arrived. “Great bird!” he thought to himself, patting the cage fondly as he walked Caro out the door.

Just as they got to the car, Caro said she needed to ease herself. So he gave her the keys and waited as she went back to the apartment.

As Caro walked in alone, Oscar who had been quietly preening himself suddenly straightened up and followed her with his eyes until she shut the toilet door behind her.

Minutes later she walked past his cage and he again stared silently at her. Just as she opened the door to step out, Oscar, unable to pass up the opportunity said (half stammering):

“Pssst…Ehn Caro, bbbuut you yooou you still ugly sha!”

Translation: “Caro, but you’re still quite ugly, you know”!

As you can imagine all hell broke loose that night, with Caro running back to the car screaming blue murder…and telling the completely bewildered Osaro to take her home, and never come near her again.

No one knows what eventually happened to the parrot. Some of Osaro’s Close associates however claim Oscar’s cage disappeared, and that Osaro suddenly developed a strange appetite for roasted chicken…!

But We All Know Parrots Really Don’t Think – At Least Not Like Us

Parrots are known for picking up words from what they hear people say, and randomly repeating them, without application of conscious though.

In otherwords, Oscar the parrot, in our joke above, was an exception to the rule.

Our kids today attend school in a society where many teachers still encourage learners to memorise and regurgitate what they are told verbatim. That’s what our traditional schooling systems demand of learners. As a result, those who excel there are often those gifted in rote learning or memorisation.

The problem is that once kids get used to the idea that they only need to repeat what the teacher tells them in order to excel in school, they’ll naturally dispense with the idea of mastering the more difficult art of thinking.

Sadly, that’s what’s happening in many societies in this 21st century. Children attend schools where they are routinely made to respond to “repeat after me” teachers. Very rarely, if at all, are they encouraged or allowed to intellectually engage their teachers on what they are being taught. This results in the phenomenon of “mindless parrots” that Roberk Kiyosaki wrote about in his international bestseller titled “If You Want to Be Rich & Happy, Don’t Go To School?”

Oscar the parrot demonstrated a capacity for independent thinking, based on an ability to make finer distinctions. Unlike a “normal” parrot, Oscar made intelligent use of its thinking faculties to deduce that the new girl was not as pretty as others who had visited Osaro in the past. And despite threats and warnings, it repeatedly reviewed what it was told against what it observed and kept voicing its contrary view on the matter.

My reason for using this analogy is to show how training a person to think about what they are told, and not just accept it on face value, is important. More so for children. We owe our kids a duty to equip them with the intellectual skills to reject faulty reasoning and logic – a lot of which is flying around in today’s world.

When fanatics and cultists look to recruit followers, they target people lacking in Critical Thinking skills. People that are easily swayed by sentiment and emotion. Who do not have the mental discipline to engage in deep thinking and reflection.

If You Want To Enjoy Peace of Mind, Help Your Child Develop Critical Thinking Skills

As a parent, it goes without saying that you’d like to spend your retirement years watching your kids flourish in their own lives.

You certainly don’t want to be worried about your successful banker son getting arrested for financing or housing a terrorist group because his girlfriend became a member for instance!

But these things can, and do happen. That’s when the parents go on a talk show sharing details of how their child who has been found wanting grew up in a loving home…How he was so quiet and gentle, and would never hurt a fly…etc

The truth is you cannot and will not always be there to help your child think through what others tell her. Be it in school or the society at large.

So, if you don’t want to live in fear of someone hijacking your child’s “mind” and thinking for, and telling her what to do, you need to proactively help her develop a questioning mind, to evaluate what she sees and hears for inherent value – and common sense.

(NB: Apart from cults, and terrorist groups, religion is another place where this problem occurs a lot.)

Once she masters this skill, it will become a shield with which to block any attempts to manipulate her. That mastery will be evident in the way she interacts with you, and others in her personal and work life.

Just as it will give you peace of mind to know she’s competent in that regard, those hunting for weak minded persons to prey on will learn to avoid her as well.

In fact, there’s a good chance that others who desire mental emancipation will learn from her, how to apply critical thinking to succeed better in their daily lives. And that would help to make the world a better place, one person at a time.

Career Development

Use Coaching To Maximize Employee Productivity

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One of the best ways to boost a company’s productivity is to get high flyers in the team to help others maximize their potentials at work. Few decision makers realize this however. And that’s why their company’s best hands are rarely encouraged to show others how to do what they do.

Let Those Who Know Teach Those Who Don’t

In one of Robert Kiyosaki’s books, he proposed the idea of a community of learners for our educational systems. In it, the brilliant students in a class would be required to help their struggling peers develop required proficiency in school work. Without this, the entire class would not be able to progress to the next level.

This approach makes the need to outdo one another unattractive. Instead, the bright students are forced to look out for those they know to be weak in specific areas, and proactively help them improve e.g via one-on-one coaching.

The collaborative and cooperative spirit they consequently develop contrasts with the negatively competitive mind set many kids develop in the traditional schooling system.

The same philosophy applies to employees in an organisation.

In reality, a company that fails to use its talented people to improve other employees does itself a disservice. If you let your high flyers go around feeling superior to others in the company, you’ll create a very bad working atmosphere. There will be a lot of resentment and even bitterness. And your company will be the loser.

Great companies often find ways to use their best people to encourage (and assist) other “average” employees deliver better workplace output. That way, the entire team progresses, and those who get helped feel valued, and become more committed to the company.

Choose Your Best People To Coach Others – Or Your Plans Will Fail

In line with the above, I suggest training your best people to function as workplace coaches. Then setup a coaching program through which they will actively “support and influence” other employees to excel on a daily basis.

The people you choose to act as workplace coaches must have proved themselves to be top performers. They must have paid their dues, and should personify that which other employees aspire to become: a person(s) highly valued – and rewarded – by the company for her contributions.

If the individuals you choose are not seen by those you wish to influence as a GOOD example of what they desire to be, then they’re unlikely to respond to any kind of coaching!

Why do the big companies like Nike, Adidas, Pepsi, Coca Cola etc pay huge amounts to famous personalities in various spheres of life to endorse their products? I’m sure you know the answer already!

Many people desire to be famous, but few ever become so. Many will usually choose one famous person already doing what they want to do, as a role model. So, by gettting famous personalities/role models in society to endorse their products, big companies secure wider acceptability for their products and services. Simple isn’t it?

Therefore, to get the best results from a coaching program in your company, choose employees widely recognized for delivering above average performances. Those are the ones other average employes (who you need to step up their game) will reckon with!

In preparing your chosen high flyers to function as workplace coaches, let them understand what you’re trying to achieve. Make them realize the need to subtly “influence” others, and not be too obvious.

If I had to speak with your selected coaching champions, I would say this to them:

A person need not know what you’re trying to do. What IS important is that you get her to acquire the desired knowledge, attitude or skill to become a better person. Also, avoid making the person feel threathened by ensuring you do not use yourself as a direct example or reference point too often.

Whether or not a person accepts that she has learnt from you is immaterial. So long as your actions and utterances have led to a noticeable and beneficial change in her, in line with your objective(s), you have succesfully coached or influenced her!

And then I would also share the following quote with them to drive home my point:

“Treat people as if they were what they ought to be, and you help them become what they’re capable of being” – Johann Von Goethe

Final Words: Setup a Spontaneous Coaching Program in Your Company

What I’ve shared above is a basic overview of the process involved in implementing what I call “Spontaneous Coaching for Self-Development (SCfSD). It’s a technique I’ve used successfully in and out of paid employment. Click here to read testimonials.

Like I’ve said in past articles, to get the best from her employees, a company should not waste time trying to develop them. Instead, she only needs to create an environment that makes them want to improve. That’s what SCfSD can help you achieve.

Simply find the best people in your company and teach them to use it to help their co-workers (and even bosses!) to deliver better performances to the benefit of the company.

Next steps:

1. If you’re a high flying employee looking to excel further by helping others improve, click here to signup for my Spontaneous Coaching service.

2. If you want me to help your company setup a self sustaining Spontaneous Coaching program, click here to send me a message with details of your specific needs and interests.

Self-Development

To Succeed, You Must Not Fear Criticism

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“Either do wrong or feel guilty, but don’t do both; it’s too much work.” – Rudolf Dreikurs (1897 – 1972) Psychiatrist

There’s a lot of social pressure to get yourself liked and approved of in today’s world. Most people would love to be accepted by others. However, the truth is that this may not always happen for everyone.

No One Can Avoid Criticism – At Least No Living Person!

As long as you’re still alive, criticism can and will come your way. No matter how nice, friendly or good you are – or you try to be. It’s just the way the world is. If you’re always good, some people are bound to find fault with you for that. They might call you a “do-gooder” for instance.

You cannot be perfect. But even if you could be perfect, people would criticize you for being THAT way!

There will of course be times when people will criticize you for a good reason.

When they do (maybe for shortcomings you actually have) try not to argue or be too defensive. Take it in your stride. If you feel there’s been a misinterpretation of your actions, do your best to correct it, without being argumentative.

But again, don’t be apologetic for being yourself.

Here’s an important point: Quite often, criticism may come your way as you focus your efforts on achieving a set goal. Maybe you started spending less time with friends or family members. Not all of them may be willing to accept the “change” initially.

You will need to decide how important your goal is, and whether you’re prepared to abandon it to avoid criticism from them e.g. if you’re trying to start a new business.

Don’t Let Fear of Criticism Make You Neglect Your Goal

The best thing is to pursue your goal with focus and passion. That is what will see you through the dark hours of your struggles as an entrepreneur.

You cannot afford to subordinate your
focus on your goal, to every whim of those around you e.g. to routinely help with domestic chores, or play with the kids etc.

If you work from home for instance, they must be made to understand that your being around them, does not mean you are available to them. Do not try to please them by neglecting your ultimate goal.

Otherwise you will be surprised to hear those same persons who prevent you from focusing turning around to ask you how come you’ve not made significant progress!!

I once read about a category of entrepreneurs an author called “Super entrepreneurs”. People in this category were said to have total involvement in their work.

Willis H. Carrier, (inventor of air conditioning – Carrier Corporation) was an example. He “was considered dangerous at the wheel of a car when concentrating on the solution to a problem”. One account has it that he once totally forgot his intended destination, after boarding a train while deeply immersed in thought about a new idea!!

There is no doubt that Willis Carrier must have been criticized for his absent mindedness. But judging from the successes he achieved, that may have been an inevitable fallout of the intense focus he needed to have, in order to conceive his inventions.

Therefore, if you really want to make the most of yourself, you must accept that not everyone will view your actions in a positive light. And you will not always come across as being “cool”. At least not until your breakthrough occurs. Not everyone will be happy or satisfied with you. You must however understand that what you think, and how you feel matters more than anything others may say.

If It Gets Too Much, Find Ways to Be Alone i.e. To Get Some Quiet Time

Sometimes the criticisms and other distractions may become too much to cope with. That’s why making needed progress may sometimes require your choosing to be alone. At least until you finish doing the important tasks that will get you what you want.

Many people prefer to be around others. They want to feel wanted and to be noticed. They’ve been taught to believe that something’s wrong with them, if they stay alone.

The truth is however that a little quiet time away from the noise and distractions of normal society can do you plenty of good. Many successful people actually do it a lot, and most attribute their ability to re-invent themselves to the discipline of creating some quiet (or me) time for themselves.

It’s a great way to refine your focus towards achieving your goals.

Commit to getting away for some quiet time to work on your goals. When you’re done, you can return to the warm embrace of your loved ones until the next “session” is due. This way, over time, you’ll move closer to your goal, until you make it come true.

As I’ve said from the start of this article, not everyone will understand why you’re doing it. But there’s nothing wrong in carving out some private time for yourself, to work on what matters to you. So, don’t be afraid to do it, when the need arises!

Entrepreneurship, Excel-VB Solutions, My DN Travel News

Why A True Entrepreneur Cannot Fail

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“There is no such thing as an entrepreneur who failed. Only one who gave up.” – James Cook, author of the Startup Entrepreneur.

There will always be good and bad times in life. But during hard times, the mind can play tricks on you. The successes you’ve achieved before could even begin to look ordinary. Negative remarks about your situation can really deal your self-belief a blow. Especially, when they come from those close to you. What will YOUR story be? This article offers insights to help you intelligently persist in pursuit of your dream.

Carry Yourself with Confidence at All Times

Anywhere you go, display infectious enthusiasm in relating with others. The confidence you have in yourself should show in the way you carry yourself, and also how you speak.

No one will believe in you if you cannot show that you believe in yourself!

Therefore keep your chin up at all times – even when things are bad (in your estimation). Be proud of yourself for having the guts to do something meaningful with your life.

“Without enthusiasm, one cannot be convincing. Moreover, enthusiasm is contagious and the person who has it, under control, is generally welcome in any group of people.” – Napoleon Hill

When You Refuse To Give Up, People Will Talk About You – Get Used To It!

When you persist in pursuit of your dream, you’ll be around longer. That means more people will get to know about you – and what you’re trying to do. And if you keep acting with confidence and enthusiasm, you’re bound to attract scrutiny from people who feel intimidated by your unwavering self-belief and faith.

That’s why I believe one of the best signs that you’re making progress is when people start talking about you. And they may not always have nice things to say!

“Talk good about me, or talk bad about me. So long as you’re talking about me, it’s all good”.

I’ve heard/read the above saying in varying forms over the years. And I’ve found it to be true. So, don’t let it bother you.

Tuface Idibia and M.I did a song together that I love for its lyrics. Especially the part that goes thus:

“If nobody talks about you, then you are nobody.”

And they’re right.

Think about it, if you did not matter; if you were not making an impact that was being felt, would they devote their time and energy to talking about you?  The fact that they’re doing that means you matter. And it also suggests what you’re doing directly or indirectly challenges them in one or more ways.

Quite often I’ve found that those who talk about me, sometimes with malicious intent, are those who see that I’ve carried on in spite of myriad setbacks. They see that I’m never going to stop. That probably explains why some have even plotted/schemed with others to bring me down. No exaggeration here.

That’s the way of the world. You need to understand that everyday that you get up to go after your goals, you WILL prove such people wrong. And some are bound to be driven to try and redress that imbalance.

How far they will go, will depend on how desperate they are, and the nature of checks and balances existing in the society you operate.

But one thing is certain. No matter what they do, as long as you never give up, your success is inevitable.

Keep that it mind. And you’ll never fail. Period.

Get Coaching Support

If you’re passing through a difficult phase and need guidance to enable you persist intelligently signup for my Performance Improvement coaching.

You’ll learn how to use every period of adversity you experience as a stepping stone to the next level of success you desire. And suddenly, you’ll find yourself welcoming adversity anytime it makes an appearance, because you’ll be confident of your ability to overcome it to get where you want to go!

Click here to learn more about how I can help you.