Category Archives: Career Development

Career Development, My DN Travel News, Self-Development

Is Your Job Straining You?

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Quick Tip: This article ends with a download link to the MS Excel template for my 10  item Employee Morale Guage Quiz, which you can customize for your use.

People who don’t love their jobs are likely to feel this way (i.e strained) more often. But I’ve also met others who love their jobs, but are being worn out by the work load.

If You’re Not Sure, Here Are a Few Symptoms That Could Suggest You Have This Problem

[NB: By the way, if you’ve been reading my blog a while, you likely already know it’s in your best interest to do work that you love – be it as an employee, or as entrepreneur. Life’s simply too short to live any other way.]

1. You’re Unable to Finish Tasks – They Keep Coming!

Do you feel that way? Like just as you breathe a sigh of relief that you’ve cleared outstanding tasks, new ones seem to arrive?

Maybe the requests come from your boss, your partner etc.

If that’s happening to you, then you’ll feel the strain…and the drain…mentally, as well as physically.

2. You Feel a Need to Escape

Even when you’re officially on break, do some people find something to bring your attention to?

If your phone’s not ringing, an email with an urgent headline beckons to you. And of course your office door. It never seems to stay shut!

Just when one person leaves and you try to get back to that paper/memo/brief you’re trying to finish, another person breezes in.

Even during your break time…it’s the same thing :-)

Your loving wife thoughtfully packs your meals for you to eat in the office. But you’ve found it a smarter move to go away – far from the office – to do that.

But you eventually return. And as you approach the office, that – now familiar – feeling of dread washes over you. “Argh…here we go again!” you say to yourself.

Again…if that’s happening to you, then you’ll feel the strain…and the drain…mentally, as well as physically.

3. Sometimes You’re Unable to Find Leisure Hours – Even on Weekends

Leisure is so important to the well being of every human being.

Yet, when you’re free to do what you want with your time (i.e. after close of work hours) not much seems to change!

It’s either you find yourself staying back late into the night, or taking work home. Some people do this right through the weekend!

4. You Need to Take “Something” to Keep You Going

When 1 to 3 happen to you often, you’re bound to get to the limit of your natural ability to cope.

Some people start taking a” little something” to keep mind (and head) clear enough to continue.

Thick, black coffee, plus a few nice vitamin pills, and some others…

Just a little help to enable them cope with the pressure.

Not everyone gets that close to the edge…but some do.

The worst part is that most people rarely see themselves going through these phases. Indeed many talk about it, but rarely stop to wonder if they can have it better.

My argument is that YOU CAN have it better.

You don’t have to strain and drain yourself so much to earn a living.

You don’t have to go to work and emerge looking “worn out” 90% of the time…shaking your head, complaining about how hard  it is to keep up at work.

If it’s that bad, something is likely NOT RIGHT!

What You Can Do

This kind of situation can make you dread coming to work – even if it’s a job you love.

And it’s suggestive of ONE major problem:

A poor organisation of the way work is done in your establishment. It’s either too few people are being asked to do too much work. Or certain trivial tasks are being put on the plate of people who already have plenty assigned to them…like you.

Either way, YOU need to speak up – to your boss, your partner or whoever else is in charge.

Demand a review of the way the workload is currently assigned. Also suggest a careful analysis of the need for tasks you identify can be passed to lower ranked or less busy persons.

Take action to free yourself up from excess tasks that ultimately limit your productivity, while killing your job enjoyment.

Fail to do this, and you could end up with a serious health issue – which, ironically, could even lead to a job loss!

Here’s Why You Should Take My Advice

I’ve been a multipreneur for over 2 decades.

In 24 hours, I get more work done that most people do in 1 week.

For instance, I’ve been writing at least ONE new article (500 to 2000 words average) every day – sometimes Sundays too – on this blog since 1st October 2013.

Many times I write them ahead – and simply schedule them to auto-publish on a future date.

Apart from that, I write for clients, and also develop custom spreadsheet software for clients in different industries.

I also provide support services – training users and/or client staff. This sometimes requires visiting client premises to conduct training.

And I do lots more – in my spare time e.g. writing information products; creating language guides, travel guides, giving talks, even researching and developing my own natural range of drinks, using Pineapple peels.

Yet I have NEVER needed to take ANY “little something” to keep going.

Not coffee. Not vitamins. No pills of any sort.

All I do is some smart physical exercising on a VERY regular basis. I also eat VERY well, and drink lots of water.

Plus (and this is important), I listen attentively to my body.

When it says “You NEED to rest”, I listen to it!!

Regarding my work, I apply ruthless focus in deciding tasks to give my serious attention. Everything else is weeded out, without sentiment.

I was like that as a high performing employee, and I’ve been that way for over 10 years now, as a multiprenerial business owner.

That’s why when you come across me – you’re very unlikely to see me looking drained, or worn out.

And you certainly will NOT find me complaining about work overload!

Read my bio below (and my resume here), to get a feel for the range of activities I’ve been – and am currently – engaged in, for some proof that back up my claims.

Follow my advice, and you WILL still be productive without wearing yourself.

AND…you will still reap daily enjoyment from doing your work. Like I do!

RELATED ARTICLE:

Are Your Employees Happy & Satisfied With Their Jobs?(A Ten Item Quiz That Can Help You Find Out)

 

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

What Video Interviews Don’t Reveal About What It Takes to Succeed

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I have a deep passion for analyzing success stories, and extracting useful learning points from them. My most recent obsession has been ESPN’s video about how a guy, born without arms, rose to world class success as a vehicle engineer.

The video however lasts only 7 – short – minutes.

But It Actually Took That Guy 22 LONG Years to “Make It” That Far

That’s how long Richie Parker, and his wonderful parents, worked hard to get where they are today.

And I dare say that those must have been very lonely years too.

T-w-e-n-t-y T-w-o LONG years.

The video makers could naturally not capture full details of what really transpired during those 2 decades.

Yet, for those who wants to know how the Parkers really did it…THAT LONG PERIOD IS what we need to examine!

See screenshot below – which I took from the video.

Sreenshot which I took from the ESPN video about Richie Parker. My kid would have used her hands to caress the dog. Richie, as a little child, had to settle for using his legs!

Above: My kid would have used her hands to caress the dog. Richie, as a little child, had to settle for using his legs!

The video does not say it. But this guy had to contend –right from the day he was born – with the reality of what should have been a crippling disability.

Most people don’t want to endure LONG – and sometimes LONELY – periods of hard work to succeed.

Oh…they love to hear stories of those who did it, and will heartily applaud, even idolize them. But they’d rather NOT have to go the same route to their success!

Which is why quick and easy “formulas” for success sell so well in our world!

Unfortunately, success that is had “quickly and easily”, often departs just as “quickly and easily” :-)

Richie’s kind is however an excellent example of authentic success – the one that lasts, and is reproducible.

But whoever wants it, MUST be willing to pay the price of working hard, and long…most times at least.

Other Victories Richie Has Won DAILY (for Decades), Which the Video Did Not Show Us

It’s possible most people have NOT considered it. But there are other realities Richie has successfully dealt with for 30 long years.

Get this: The ESPN video does NOT tell us, how Richie Parker ALSO successfully does these UN-AVOIDABLE tasks – daily – without arms…

1. Brushing his teeth…applying toothpaste takes two hands for most of us…how does he do his?

2. Taking his bath…how does he turn the tap or shower on…and off?

3. Putting on his shirts, trousers, shoes etc…every day…?

4. Unbuttoning or taking off his trousers to use the toilet…?

I could go on, but so can you. Just think how he does ALL the stuff YOU do without even thinking about it.

For him, it must take him great effort to do each of those things.

And yet, he still does them (otherwise he would not be where he is today).

And in addition to doing them, he does his work just as well as others who HAVE arms, in a field as demanding as vehicle engineering.

Watch the Video and Listen to Richie speak. He is so self-assured!

Watch the Video and Listen to Richie speak. He is so self-assured! He learnt (with the help of his parents) to believe he could do anything he wanted to do.

Listening to Richie Parker, one is left in no doubt that he is supremely aware of his capabilities.

Yet, I’ve lost count of many able bodied persons I’ve ment who are insecure about themselves!

Why is this so?

It’s partly – often mostly – the result of how they were brought up by their parents.

What Mr. and Mrs. Parker did for Richie is what all parents should do for their kids from DAY 1 – to paraphrase Richie.

Make your kids develop and independent and confident mindset.

Let them know they can go through life not .looking to continually lean on, or need others to do stuff for them!

But We Must Not Fail to Give Rex Stump Credit for Making Richie’s Success Story Happen

You see Rex was smart enough to LOOK BEYOND Richie’s (seeming) disability, to see the potential he had, to ADD VALUE to Hendrick.

That’s the way a competent decision maker acts. S/he will always take decisions in the best interests of the organisation, and those he manages!

No room for bias or discrimination here.

Richie’s parents are, to me, the greatest heroes ever!

They coached him to believe in himself and achieve. And they painstakingly documented EVERY way he overcame his disabilities to do just that.

I happen to LIVE for my kids – and I mean that literally.

And when I see other people’s kids, I FEEL towards them, what I feel for mine: a strong desire to help them BE THE BEST THEY CAN BE…and to refuse to live below one’s full potential.

And Richie’s life, to me, presents us all a massive challenge to DO MORE With Our God-given Potential!

And I’ve chosen to respond to that challenge, by LEARNING from his story, and telling others to do the same.

For myself, my kids, and any others who may be interested, I’ve created a FREE, Printable Power Point Slideshow(see cover below).

I created this PowerPoint slideshow (and published it on slideshare.net), to give people with poor (or zero!) connectivity, an alternative means of “learning” about Richie Parker.

In particular, I have considered many in my part of the world, whose circumstances probably make it impossible, or difficult to use the web.

They may never see the video unless someone takes an offline version to them. I plan to do what I can with the offline version I’ve recorded.

But I believe printing out, and sharing this Power Point version I’ve created, will go an even longer way.

Even those of us who’ve watched the video will find it useful to read through the transcript version.

I published it on Slideshare.net since last Saturday 19th Octover 2013 – click here to view it.

The download link appears in this blog post (click here).

Download, print out, and share it FREELY with people OFF the web, who may probably never “encounter” this story otherwise!

EVERYONE NEEDS TO “HEAR” THIS STORY, and BE INSPIRED!!!!
Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

NEVER Let Anyone Tell You What YOU Cannot Do! (Transcript Slideshow Version of ESPN’s July 21 “SportsCenter” Profile video about Richie Parker)

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I created this PowerPoint slideshow (and published it on slideshare.net), to give people with poor (or zero!) connectivity, an alternative means of “learning” about Richie Parker.

NB: To get the Power Point file version, CLICK HERE NOW to download it in a zipped folder (3MB approximately).

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Read the article I wrote about Richie: It’s titled “All You Really Need Is Ingenuity…aka Creative Thinking (True Story: Man Born Without Arms Designs Championship Winning Race Cars)

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Richie was born in 1983, without arms.

Today, he has a college degree, lives on his own, drives his own custom car, and has worked over 8 years as a world class vehicle engineer (with NASCAR’s Hendrick Motor Sport)…designing chassis and body components for championship winning race cars…Using His FEET!

never-let-shot

Watch the ESPN video about Richie Parker at this link:

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=9499560

…and, don’t forget to Google “Richie Parker” – there’s lots to read about him on many websites!

Download and Read Other Useful Video/Audio Transcripts/E-books:

I have created transcripts in the past, of other videos/audios (or put up book previews) I felt had powerful messages that would add value to the lives of others.

Below is a list of links for you to explore:

1. 10 Valuable Lessons I Learnt About Blogging for Passive Income, from Yaro Starak’s 60 Minute Podcast Interview with Patrick Meninga”

http://spontaneousdevelopment.com/sdnuggets/?p=1972

Download FREE PDF Transcript: (instructions for downloading a 30 page PDF transcript of the 1 hour video are provided in this blog post that I published Mar 9, 2013 @ 18:58)

2. Breakthrough to Purpose – Andy Brine Interviews Efe Ohwofasa (Verbatim Text Transcript)

http://wp.me/p3ZIAN-K5

3. On Being a Master (Preview of Burt Dubin’s Forthcoming NEW Book)

http://spontaneousdevelopment.com/uploads/bdubin-mastery01.pdf

READ: Why I Manually Transcribe Video/Audio Presentations (Especially Interviews) – CLICK HERE

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Read the article I wrote about Richie: It’s titled “All You Really Need Is Ingenuity…aka Creative Thinking (True Story: Man Born Without Arms Designs Championship Winning Race Cars)

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Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

Announce Your Goals, and You’ll Be Forced to Achieve Them

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Just today, I replied to an enquiry by a facebook friend, about progress I’d made with my Pineapple Peel based drinks production project. He’s not the only one who has been asking me this question. Clients, friends and relatives have intermittently requested to know how far I’ve gone.

Thankfully, I’ve always had significant progress to report(update post coming up on Tuesday, next week). And one reason for this – apart from the natural interest I have in this – is that I announced it on Facebook, and my website some months back. With pictures and even a web page dedicated to it.

So you see, by announcing my plan to the world, I effectively enrolled others in “pushing me” to implement it!

But wouldn’t that amount to either being perceived to be a “show-off” or exposing your plans to your “rival(s)”?

As is the case in all aspects of life, there is possibility that either or both of the earlier mentioned problems could arise if you adopt this approach.

However, having used this technique successfully on numerous occasions to “force” myself to actualize objectives I set for myself, I can tell you with certainty that the benefits far outweigh whatever costs it may attract.

One example: Years ago, while typing the e-book on which this article is based, my wife sat beside me watching. She got me to start writing the book back then because I had once told her I intended to write it.

By telling her my intention I unwittingly enlisted her to “remind” me about the target I set for myself, thereby helping to motivate me to do it.

When you tell people what you intend to do, you are no longer the only one who knows you intend to do it. So it becomes more difficult for you to one day decide to push that target or goal under the carpet and forget about it.

Those you tell will ask you about it. Since you know they will ask you about it, you will want to avoid looking unfocussed by making sure you have a positive progress update to give them!

Simple, yet not-so-obvious – is it?

Maybe just one more example – this time from outside the language-learning arena.

I finished writing a 45 – page management research paper titled “Self-Development As A Tool For Achieving Career Advancement (A Practical Guide Based on Experience)” in December 2001.

Now, that was the same month in which I resigned my appointment as Training and Technical Development Manager of Guinness Nigeria Plc (Benin).

It was a period when I had to combine preparing handover notes, and doing my job with finishing up the paper for which I had to produce/circulate 100 questionnaires across Lagos/Benin.

Out of the 100 questionnaires, over 40 completed ones were recovered and used in deriving my findings. Now, not only did I do the questionnaire design/data analysis myself, but I also typed the entire paper myself in the little free time I could find – which was not much I assure you!

The whole process began in September 2001, and by 31st December 2001, I had a paper that was ready for entry, into the 2002 edition of the Nigerian Institute of Management’s Young Manager’s competition.

That was just as I had planned, and told as many of my friends, colleagues and relatives who would listen!

I’d told them I intended to write a paper with which I hoped to win the national finals of the competition in 2002 (I was placed 5th in 1997 in my debut).

They had, over the months, variously enquired about what progress I had made toward achieving it. This, more than anything else, helped me stay focused on finishing the paper!

In addition, on the questionnaire’s cover letter, I had promised to send an electronic copy of the final paper produced as a reward to each respondent.

Since many of them had indicated interest in getting a copy, it became even more imperative for me to finish the paper.

That offer was made as an incentive to get them to help complete my questionnaire. I therefore had to fulfil my promise or risk looking “bad” in their eyes.

As you can see, announcing your plans can be a great way to avoid taking the easy (or lazy?) way out, when you set bold or “stretching” targets for yourself!

Final Words: Adopt this Strategy, and Coach Your Kids to Use It As Well

This post is based on excerpts from my Proven 5-Step Formula for Learning ANY Language in 3 Months or less ebook.

I strongly recommend applying the ideas descried above, and also coaching your kids to use them.

Over 2 decades of using this strategy to consistently achieve exceptional outcomes, in various endeavours, convince me they will work for you.

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

All You Really Need Is Ingenuity…aka Creative Thinking (True Story: Man Born Without Arms Designs Championship Winning Race Cars)

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How much effort do you put into doing your JOB each day? And how many times have you told your employer (or boss) you could do MUCH more…IF ONLY s/he would send you on some training, or buy some latest gadget for you to use?

Well, I’m here to tell you (using the amazing achievements of a man born without arms!) that 9.5 times out of 10, you probably already have all you need, to deliver superlative workplace performances.

The Problem Is, You May Not Know You Already Have ALL You Need…

…Until You Meet Someone Who LACKS What You Have, But Is Doing MORE Than You’re Doing!

Indeed, many of us do not know we already have so much going for us, that we need not look for more.

At least, not until we’ve made the best possible use of what we already have!

Yes. And that includes YOU: Mr “I’ve not been promoted since I joined the company”.

And YOU: Ms. “You send me on that new sales negotiation training course, and see if I don’t top the charts this year”.

Who says, madam, that you need anything more than what your creator already gave you?

At the most, you probably need to read a good book on proven sales techniques by Jeffery Gitomer or Brian Tracy. And that’s not likely to set you back more than a few dollars.

In reality, most of the change needs to happen INSIDE you – in terms of how you THINK, basically.

You see, some people started this journey of life with very little compared to us.

And every single day of their lives, things that we do without thought (e.g. opening a door, typing on a PC); require much more effort from them.

Yet they go on doing them, and actually excel in the process, often beyond those of us with MORE!

Many times, they achieve such feats simply through a mental attitude that refuses to recognise ANY limitations. They simply refuse to believe there is anything they cannot do.

And they never listen to anyone who tells them something they wish to do is impossible.

One Such Person is Richie Parker, the Young Man Featured In a Video I Watched Today (Wednesday 16th October 2013)

NB: You’re reading this article on Thursday 17th October 2013, or later. I wrote, and scheduled it to auto-publish on Wednesday 16th October 2013.

Richie was born in 1983, without ARMS.

But today, he works as a vehicle design engineer at Hendrick Engineering/Motor Sports: a company that has won more NASCAR championships than any other.

He designs chassis and body components for ALL their 4 racing teams – USING HIS FEET, to handle the mouse, and type on the keyboard of his PC!

Richer Parker designs chassis and body components for ALL Hendrick Motor Sports' 4 racing teams - USING HIS FEET, to handle the mouse, and type on the keyboard of his PC!

And he’s been doing that job for 8 years – during which time they’ve won 5 championships.

It would also interest you to know, that he drives his own car. It has wonderful modifications, made to the pedals, that let him use his feet to manoeuvre the vehicle, the way we who have arms do ours!

Thanks to Segun Ogunlana – My Amazing Brother-in-Law – for Sharing This Video on Facebook

Since when he sent the link on September 8th, 2013, poor connectivity had prevented me from watching it (it never even loaded), each time I tried.

Until today.

I kept trying to watch it whenever I remembered the link (I’d bookmarked it).

The photo of the armless young man sitting on a car bumper stirred my curiosity. Another reason I kept trying were the comments those who’d watched it made on facebook.

And when I finally watched it, I KNEW others deserved to see it too.

This young man’s creative achievements COMPLETELY invalidate any excuses the rest of us can possibly come up with, for not actualizing our full potentials in life.

Few, if at all any, challenges we face in life can measure up to most of those this guy has found ways to overcome in his short time on earth!

PLEASE watch the video, and START LIVING WITHOUT MAKING EXCUSES from today.

True Story: Man Born Without Arms Designs Championship Winning Race Car

I’ve recorded the video using software I have, for offline viewing, and I intend to play it for my kids to watch, OVER and OVER again.

In addition to that, I have plans to MASSIVELY publicize it, by presenting it in different formats. Those who’ve seen what I’ve done with other videos/audios online, may have an idea of what’s coming…soon!

I may even arrange to visit schools, churches, mosques, and other social organisations.

I BEG YOU – Watch This Video, And Share It!

I never thought I’d ever get to a point in my life when I’d actually BEG anyone to do anything.

But I’m making an exception with Richie Parker’s amazing video.

Believe me, this is probably the closest we’ll ever get to an ENDLESS source of inspiration, AFTER God!

That’s why I’m begging you to – right NOW (don’t wait till you have time…do it NOW) – PLEASE watch the video, then share it with as many people as possible.

…and START LIVING WITHOUT MAKING EXCUSES from today, on your job, and in your personal lives.

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

He Called Me “Voleur” (Thief)!

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[PDF] He Called Me Voleur! - Click to download PDF version of this article and read offline

In this article, I discuss one big mistake some non-Nigerian Africans seem to be making in thinking about Nigeria. To do this, I share a true story about a Francophone African undergraduate in his 20’s, who called me a thief – and meant it. Why? Because he daily saw me typing away on an Internet connected laptop, and I never seemed to go out to “work”…LOL!

According to him, working that way (i.e. selling information products, custom Excel-VB driven software, web marketing systems development, and writing services online) was only possible in developed countries.

To him, that meant that I had to be engaged in 419 i.e. Internet scam business.

And since he already knew I was a Nigerian, that made perfect sense…LOL!

It did not matter what I showed him on my website, or where I told him I’d been (as detailed in my 11 page resume).

Indeed, the little effort I made, to educate him about potential opportunities awaiting him online, simply put him off. He repeated – angrily:

“Vous êtes voleur!”

Why Did He Say This? (Here’s What Led to Our Exchange)

Since I’d met him in April, he would once in a while ask me for money – and I’d give him. He was a student. Over 20 years before, I’d been on campus like him. I knew things could be tough for students, away from home.

That day however, I refused to give him money he asked for. This was because I’d noticed he never did anything useful with whatever one gave him. He spent recklessly, and also kept bringing a girl friend to sleep with, in a room he shared with the rest of us.

He left, and we never talked about it. But he kept behaving the same way. I tried to ignore his excesses, but I felt I had a duty, as an older person, to set him right.

So, one day I called him, and told him what I saw. Then I warned about the uncertain future, in terms of a post-university job search – which he needed to prepare for.

He assured me countless jobs awaited him in the labour market of his country:

“It’s not like Nigeria, where you don’t have jobs. Isn’t that why you moved here?”

(NB: In saying the above, he failed to recall what I’d told him in the past: That my clients were either foreigners based in his country, or who connected with me online. I relocated to take advantage of the stable power supply and polity. In reality, most people in his society could not afford my services!).

I told him about a personal friend, who’d graduated for years, and – like many others – had been unable to secure a decent job, despite his qualifications.

(NB: This friend, today, manages a mobile phone shop for an expatriate owner…with a”university degree”. But he’s actually better off than most others!)

My young friend countered that God would not let him have such an experience…!

I asked him if he thought that he alone knew “God”. In addition, I asked him, if all other graduates walking the streets, years after graduating, did not also pray to “God”, like he did (I actually meant to say “IF” he did pray – given his apparent lifestyle!).

That was where I hit a nerve.

He asked “What do you know about God? Do you even have a university degree?

He went on:

“Look, you’ve always questioned the usefulness of traditional formal education. Maybe you feel bitter because you did not attend university.”

He said the above, in apparent reference to what I’d told him, and his colleagues, about “schools killing creativity” – and why self-education must be embraced, even as one goes through school.

I’d never imagined I would have to show proof of my university level education to anyone!

(In my mind I said “Yepa. Chineke! This guy is challenging me to prove that I have a university degree? Mo baje!”)…LOL!

I was speechless for a few seconds, as I tried to think of how to express myself to get through to him.

You must understand that we were conversing in French, and I still struggled in some areas.

“How could he not know I had a degree, from all the time we’d spent together?” I wondered.

Then I remembered he was Francophone, and could barely read/speak/understand a word of English!

As a result, he would not have comprehended most of my website’s content, all the times he’d watched me updating it on my laptop. (I’ve been reluctant to use an online language translation service on my website, because of the absence of contextual interpretation – which can change intended meaning).

Then it also struck me that, he’d actually never even visited the website once, despite my telling him to!

As far as he was concerned therefore, I could be no different from Nigerians who came across the border to sell things in their country.

In fact, he said we were all the same, and that:

“Ghanaians speak proper English, while you Nigerians only speak Pidgin English!”

Proudly turning to his friend, he added:

“Yes. I was in their country. They don’t know how to speak good English. What they speak is Pidgin!”

“Where did he get that impression from?” I wondered.

A university level student thinking everyone in a country like Nigeria cannot speak “good” English?

“Incroyable!” I said to myself :-)

Then I remembered the story he told me of his one time visit to Nigeria, few years back.

During a long holiday period, he’d visited a distant relative in a remote part of South West Nigeria. They’d passed through Lagos on their way to and fro. And while there, they’d worked with locals and some farm hands.

You can imagine the calibre of people he must have spent his time with under such circumstances. The poor guy never got a chance to move around enough to “hear” anything but Pidgin English!

But drawing conclusions based on that, is NOT smart thinking expected of a “university undergraduate”!

I asked if he realised some of the most competent users of English, in Africa, were from Nigeria. I mentioned Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka and others.

He had no clue who they were. And he bluntly told me:

“Forget it. You people can’t speak good English, In fact I speak better than most of you!”.

All this from a guy who needed my help to translate a 300 word message from French to English? That day, because (again) he had no money, I had to use my personal bulk SMS mailing account, to send it to his relative’s mobile number in Nigeria. The latter called him within seconds of receiving the message.

That happened less than a week earlier. So it was not that he’d attended some crash course in English, to justify claiming he could speak English. He was simply deluded (for want of a better word)!

And that was when I knew I was wasting my time with him.

The Entire Exhange Pointed Me to One SAD Realisation

Many young Africans (even some adults) in Francophone Africa, have no inkling of what the web can do for them. They are all so closed up in their ordered, and stable societies. So much so, that they do not know using their creativity online, can have a direct impact on their income earning capabilities.

What’s more, they fail to realise they can START NOW, and need not wait to finish from school!

NB: I said “many” have this wrong orientation. I did NOT say “all”. That means I accept that there are exceptions. And I’ve met a number :-)

This is Why I’m Glad, and Proud, That I Was Born & Raised in Nigeria!

I do not mean to claim superiority over any other nationals. I repeat: my purpose here is NOT to put down people from other nations. Doing so, would serve no intelligent or useful purpose.

However, I believe the propensity of Nigerians to adopt – and make productive, income generating use of PC and Internet technology, is unparalled in Africa.

This is my considered opinion, based on years of experience, and careful observation.

The average Nigerian’s level of Internet awareness, outstrips that of most other Africans – especially in West Africa.

Do I have any specific statistics to back up my claims? Not any that I personally compiled.

But I’ve travelled quite a bit over the years, and actively interacted with people from different parts of Africa, and the world.

In addition, through my web marketing, over the past 10 years, I have related actively with people from various parts of Africa, and beyond.

The truth is that the rate of adoption of PC and Internet technology, for personal and business use, is phenomenally high in Nigeria.

Many surveys published about technology, social media, mobile phone usage etc in Africa, also attest the truth of what I’m saying here.

The only thing holding Nigeria back from using the above strengths, to realise its full potential as a true giant, is its shaky leadership.

BUT…and this is a big BUT…

…The mistake I see some other Africans making, is that they seem to think that Nigeria’s problem will never be solved. And as a result, they believe their economies will keep enjoying influx of EXTRA income, resulting from Nigerian/foreign owned solo-entrepreneurs and “companies” based in Nigeria, relocating to their countries.

Some even seem to take delight in using the “poor reputation” of Nigeria/Nigerians, to discredit honest Nigerians making productive use of the web, to earn a living – LIKE ME.

Well, for anyone guilty of the above, here’s some friendly advice: STOP doing that, and start thinking what you’ll do when things change!

I say this because WHEN (NOT if), Nigeria sorts out its leadership problem, its people will turn its fortunes around in the twinkle of an eye, making it a global leader.

That’s how self-empowered and ready Nigerians are. (NB: The Keyword is: “Self-empowered”!)

By then, Nigeria WILL become a safer and more cost-effective destination for investors. More Nigerians will also stay back and/or return home to do business. AND, as a result, Nigeria will start keeping more of the money generated by its businesses within its borders.

Remember: Nigeria is the largest market in Africa. So that’s a lot of money we’re talking about here!

I doubt the same can be said for many African countries – especially in West Africa – whose manpower remain grossly un-empowered. They’ve remained like that, despite the relative peace, orderliness and stability of leadership, and infrastructure they enjoy in their mostly smaller economies – compared to Nigeria.

Can someone please tell them to wake up, and do MORE, with what they have currently going for them! PLEASE!!!!

FINAL WORDS

I know. It’s true that many Nigerians seem currently more disposed to doing wrong, to get what they want.

But that’s just a phase.

With the growing number of “honest” positive change agents fighting to set Nigeria right, such Nigerians will eventually adopt positive avenues that will be created, to achieve their goals.

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, My DN Travel News

Farm Business Can Give You a Safer Entry into Retirement (Part 2 of 2)

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This is the second and concluding part of this article. The first part appeared here, yesterday (9th October 2013).

Here’s Why I Suggest You Start Your Farm Business SMALL, While You’re Still In Paid Employment:

I believe in the smart use of money. People who have suffered severe, potentially traumatizing lack of access to money, often feel that way about using it.

For those willing to learn, “poverty” (no matter how short the period of exposure to it) can be a good teacher of money management :-)

Believe me dear reader, I say this from painful personal experience!

The fact that you have money does not mean you have to throw it at anything you want to do.

To flourish in business, it’s best to train yourself – and your employees – to use as little money as possible, to generate as much money as possible.

That’s the key to being competitive. Take a good look at Richard Branson’s Virgin range. It’s what makes them tick!

When you’re in firm control of what it costs you to produce, you’re likely to have plenty of profit “margin room” to play with.

In other words, you’ll be able to price your farm output competitively (to fend off rival farms), and attractively (to entice profitable buyers).

So, keep that in mind.

Don’t just go buying this and buying that and hoping to impress people with different machinery and livestock littering your farm. Practice focus – aim to develop a production system that works with one or two specific livestock ventures – using cost-saving strategies.

What you learn by being so painstaking will enable you keep that operation going with minimal running expenses incurred.

Do Not Start a New Venture Until That/Those on Ground Are Yielding Significant, Sustainable Income

The reason is simple. You want to start a business that at some point starts to generate enough revenue to finance itself – so you can stop dipping your hands in your pockets.

That way, you can use what you generate from them, to finance new ventures (even if in part).

It would make no sense for you to still be using your salary to pay salaries, buy feeds and cover other expenses on a fish farm that’s over a year old!

If that is happening, something you’re doing is not right. Investigate and correct it, so the farm can start making money!

Once that farm is setup right, and generating useful revenue, explore ways to further save costs, so you can raise your profit margins.

Then if you have plans to start any other farm enterprise – say an egg laying poultry enterprise – find ways to use the income from the fish farm to slowly finance it.

Again, understand what I mean here.

Nothing stops you from going out and buying all you need to start a piggery, poultry, rabbitry and poultry layers farm ALL at once.

However, I’m saying that being in a salary job, it will be difficult to monitor multiple enterprises. Unless you’re really lucky to get reliable manpower.

So, whatever you want to start should be done slowly. Aim to learn how to do it well on a small or pivot scale – in preparation for a full launch later on.

That process will help you determine what areas problems or challenges can arise from. And because it would be on a manageable “scale”, your spending needs to get it up and running would be minimal.

No Matter How Far Away Your Retirement Day Is, You Can Start Preparing Today

It won’t be easy. But the process of engaging in all the aspects of running the enterprise you choose, will give you valuable education you will draw on later.

The best part is that you will do all this while still earning a salary!

And by using an intelligent step-by-step or phased implementation like the one proposed above, you can actually end up with a fully operational farm business.

That’s because the longer you’ve been doing something, especially if you’re not lazy, the more proficient you’ll become.

Running a farm business – especially livestock – is not easy to do.

That’s why I suggest starting as early as possible, while the advantage of salaried income is still there.

Get your immediate family members involved, and extended family members you can really trust. That will enable you save on labour costs.

With that kind of cost-effective arrangement in place, you’re more likely to succeed in making the scaled down version of your farm business profitable.

Then, using what you’ve learnt, and the experience you’ve gained, you can then gradually scale up the business. Do this, possibly to coincide with (what will hopefully be) your planned exit from paid employment.

Imagine what it would feel like, to quit today, and get home knowing you can walk into your very own – already profitable – farm business that same day!

That’s an experience many who retire after years of serving their employers often do not have.

Instead, those periods tend to be characterised by fear, and worry, about how they’ll cope with the significant loss of monthly salaried income.

A person who works a plan like the one proposed in this article, with diligence and determination, is much less likely to have such an experience.

It is my hope that YOU will take THIS, as a wake up call, and start making necessary enquiries – and plans – today.

To that end, I suggest you read my article titled: Searching for Farm Business Opportunities? (5 Tips, Based on a Real Life International Phone Conversation)

I wish you success.

RELATED ARTICLES WRITTEN BY TAYO K. SOLAGBADE

1. Searching for Farm Business Opportunities? (5 Tips, Based on a Real Life International Phone Conversation)

PREVIEW: I recently took an international call, from a Nigerian based abroad, on my mobile line. I was then on a farm in South West Nigeria, where I was coaching users to use a Poultry Farm Management application the CEO hired me to build.

He and a partner were trying to decide on investment opportunities to pursue in Nigeria. They yearned to come home after decades of working in foreign countries. But they also worried – rightly too – based on news they kept getting  – that it could be quite risky.

Perhaps too risky.

He shared the story of a colleague who traveled home with his entire family to “retire”, only to return saying he NEVER return there till death!

Read full article

2. Should You Quit Your Job or Start Your Business Part-time?

PREVIEW: “No enterprise worthy of accomplishment would ever begin, if all obstacles were first to be overcome – Napoleon Hill

In attempting to help you come to your own decision about the better of the two options mentioned above(quitting your job vs. starting part-time), I will give you an insight into how I entered into the business of entrepreneuring. I start by reproducing the exact words with which I narrated the experience in an ebook I wrote back in 2003 titled “How To Help Your Child Discover His/Her Purpose In Life” (see excerpts below).

Read full article

3. Once You Start Your Business, You Must Think & Act Like An Entrepreneur To Succeed!

PREVIEW: “I wanted to be an editor or a journalist, I wasn’t really interested in being an entrepreneur, but I soon found I had to become an entrepreneur in order to keep my magazine going” – Richard Branson.

Preamble

In this article I explain why ANYONE starting a business needs to realise that s/he MUST become an entrepreneur in order to succeed. For many people this will require changes in spending habits, use of personal time, friendships kept- and most importantly THINKING HABITS!

Read full article

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, My DN Travel News, Self-Development

Farm Business Can Give You a Safer Entry into Retirement (Part 1 of 2)

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It’s a fact of life. One day you’ll retire from paid employment. Do you have a plan laid out for what you’ll do post-retirement? This article discusses one proven vocation you can adopt, even before that day arrives, to ease yourself into safe retirement.

Some Career Persons Try to Wish Retirement Day Away, By Refusing to Think About It

A big mistake. That attitude sets some of them up for the shock of being asked to leave – before they are due to retire.

We’ve all heard the stories before. Sometimes it happens due to misconduct. At other times the company may wish to restructure manpower, and decide to pay off people in certain roles or positions.

It’s happened to many people in the past.

The funny thing about humans is how we always think it won’t or can’t happen to us…until it does!

By then, the individual arrives in the real world (that’s what the environment outside paid employment is, by the way).

S/he will often be scared and confused about what to do, with the bulk benefits and “pension” paid to him/her.

In that state of mind, many become willing prey for scam artists who come to them with half-baked proposals.

If They’d Put a Plan In Motion Before Leaving Paid Employment, Things Would Have Been Different

And that’s the truth.

When you don’t have a clear cut picture in you remind about what you will do, and how, things can get quite difficult.

I’ve noticed that people who have never been outside paid employment, often don’t understand the importance of doing the above.

I say this from personal experience. I’ve been in and out of paid employment. And I’ve interacted with others who’ve done the same – both while I was in, and after |I go out.

One massive insight I’ve gained is as follows…

The comfort and security of being in a good job, that literally takes care of all your needs, can be VERY, VERY intoxicating.

Especially when you’re a big man or woman, with official driver and living quarters, club subscriptions. And even special provisions for medical and educational needs for you and your family members!

Ah, the good life…each time the salary drops into your account, you know what you aim to do with it, and you go right ahead and do it :-)

But rarely is what many do with it, related to preparations for the day AFTER their salary will stop dropping that way.

Yet that day’s arrival is inevitable.

Sadly, many wait for it to come, and only after it has, do they start thinking of what they want to do next.

A few are lucky to embark on ventures/vocations that turn out okay.

But I have seen many who paid the price for leaving it too late. They basically lacked the real world relevant wisdom, exposure and awareness, to navigate the “minefields” buried in business idea “proposals” made to them.

As a result, they got duped – sometimes by close relatives too!

Adopting a Farm Business Can Give You a Safer, and Profitable, Entry into Retirement

It’s possible – even likely – you did not study agriculture. In other words, I’m saying this is not about what you studied.

Come to think of it, I believe over 80% of the farm business related clients I have, do not have any formal training in farming or agriculture.

The most recent one, for whom I developed a custom Poultry Layer Farm Management software, studied Business Administration. And he worked in the civil service for over 3 decades, on a job that – at a point in his career – led to his travelling all over the world.

Instead, this is about choosing to run a business based on what you have a passion for. And that’s where what I propose in this article requires you to stop and think for a moment.

If you do not (or cannot learn to) enjoy running farm business – especially a livestock-based one – the ideas I offer here may not be for you.

But if you can do that, then what I’m saying is start – today – making enquiries about what it would take to start a farm business of your own.

Do NOT WAIT. You may not have as much time as you think you do!

Aim to start using your current reliable salaried income, to carefully acquire everything necessary to start a farm business venture you will carefully choose.

Some questions for you to consider include…

1. Where would you like it to be located?

This should ideally be where you wish to retire once you leave paid employment.

As much as possible, you want to live physically close to the farm – to ensure easy access and monitoring.

2. How much would it cost to acquire land there?

…and if you already have land…

3. What kind of farm businesses would you like to run on it?

Think of which one you can start with, at the lowest possible cost. And which can yield the best possible returns in the shortest possible time.

Here’s Why I Suggest You Start SMALL, While You’re Still In Paid Employment:

…part 2 of 2 of this article (Farm Business Can Give You a Safer Entry into Retirement) was published on this blog tomorrow (10th October 2013) by 09:00.

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

10 Year Old Uses Dead Laptop Battery, to Build Home-Made Rechargeable Lamp

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This article is a tribute to my kids. Especially my 10 year old boy, who recently championed the use of my “dead” laptop battery to make a rechargeable lamp – which uses NO external power source for charging! This true story proves that coaching others to be super achievers at work , applies just as well, to parenting of our kids at home. Perhaps even more!

Are you a parent? If yes, know that to succeed, you MUST do all in your power, to coach your child to actualize his/her full potential. To do otherwise, would be to fail.

Don’t ask me how I know. I just do. And ever since I began to act in line with that insight, I have known a kind of peace that truly beats the imagination. I often feel so sure about how to parent my kids to achieve self-discovery.

I also intuitively know what to expect. So much so, that I am very rarely surprised by the results I get.

Let me share the following true story, to make this example more real.

My 10 year Old Boy – and his 12 year old brother – are Infected With the “Hands-On” Creativity Bug!

Yesterday, I returned from another trip to Nigeria. This time to install the completed Poultry Farm Manager application I built for a client’s farm in Ekiti state. While there, I trained two farm managers to use it.

On my way back, I spent Independence Day with my family in Lagos.

And what a truly fulfilling experience it turned out to be!

I cannot share everything now, as we’re planning to publish an online video presentation. There will also be a PDF publication, with full details of what they’ve discovered and developed.

But I Will Narrate the Story Below, to Give You an Idea of What These Creative Kids Did

The 10 year old has always been keen on taking things apart, and fiddling with them, to learn how they work. This includes electronic devices of all kinds.

Back when I was a young graduate trainee in Guinness, I used to carry around a fibre glass briefcase. At some point I stopped using it – but each time we moved house, I took it with me.

By the time we moved to Lagos, my 10 year old took it over and began filling it with pieces and parts he picked up from stuff I (or neighbours) threw out. After a while, he began trying to couple things back, after taking them apart. We laughed at him at first. But over time everyone in the house has come to trust his abilities.

Today, he actually does fix things. When the plug for a device fails to work, his mother calls on him. And he confidently takes a look and often gets it working. No exaggeration.

On return from school, he does his assignments, and then turns his full attention to his box of gizmos. This young man will link wires of all kinds together, and begin explaining – to an imaginary audience! – how the linked devices work!!

We Initially Laughed at His efforts – But His Unshakeable Passion Has Made Us “Believers”!

Now he’s buildings things that actually work – mostly by trial and error, with a problem solving focus.

Not long ago, he got broken sections of a rechargeable lamp – the part where the LEDs bulbs are mounted. He then linked AA batteries together in series in a wooden rack,built from pieces of wood.

This was then connected to the terminals of the LEDs from the damaged lamp.

And they came on!

Let me explain why the above was significant, for him, his siblings, and even for us their parents.

You see, our home is in Nigeria – where steady power supply remains a problem.

Hence when it’s dark, it’s either you use a kerosene lantern, candles or a generator, to light up your home. All three options require spending money. No matter how small the amount, it all adds up.

Sometimes, we have to share available light sources, if the generator is not used – or if a bulb in one room is bad.

That drove my son to explore alternative sources of lighting up the room he and his siblings use.

He knew if he could “make light” without having to ask his parents for money, no one would bother him.

I’ve seen him literally sit for hours, fiddling with jumbles of wires, and electronic parts/components. Most times he does this while completely unaware of his surroundings.

From the first time I saw him do this (at the age of 7), I knew instantly, that he was born to do it.

I’ve always studied ALL my kids, to carefully determine each one’s true interests and passion. And I always do my best to encourage or guide them.

That’s why, in the case of the 10 year old, my damaged electronic or computer devices always get passed to him. Not once has he ever turned them back. Instead he instantly start “working” on them!

He’s Now Used My Dead Laptop Battery to Build a Home-Made Rechargeable Lamp!

My Toshiba latop’s battery recently “died”. It could no longer keep my laptop on. If you removed the power cord, the laptop would simply go off. A computer village engineer sold me a new one, and I told my wife to give my son the “bad” one that was taken out.

To be honest, I never thought anything could come of it at the time.

But when I got home on the night of Monday 30th September 2013, I witnessed a demonstration that left me stunned.

My 10 year old (who has now co-opted his equally intuitive/creative 12 year old bother), put on a show that made me so proud!

He showed me a box made of carton in which he’d placed batteries taken from inside the laptop battery I’d given him. They look like much larger sized versions of AA batteries.

Now, I would never have imagined the batteries looked like that. It has never occurred to me to open up the black, rectangular “thing” we all call “laptop battery” to see what was inside.

Below is a picture of the kind of laptop battery I purchased

My 10 yeard old Boy Used My Dead Laptop Battery to Build a Home-Made Rechargeable Lamp - Without ANY External Power Source (Not Even Solar!)

This is just to give you an idea of what the one I gave him looked like. Notice the shape. Ever thought to open one up to see what was inside? I never did. But my 10 year old not only thought it. He did it, and then used the batteries to make a rechargeable lamp!

Here’s What He Told Me…Including How He Actually Recharges The Batteries Without ANY External Power Source (Not Even Solar!)

He linked the ends of the batteries (which were connected in series), to the terminals for the LEDs from the bad rechargeable lamp.

The light that was produced was extremely bright – almost blinding me at first (Below are some pictures I took as they demonstrated it. Note that they were showing me all this at past 11p.m on Monday 30th September 2013. The next day, Tuesday, was Independence Day, and a public holiday).

The light that was produced was extremely bright - almost blinding me at first...click to view larger image

Below: Another view of the lighted lamp, as they set it up for me to see.

Another view of the lighted lamp, as they set it up for me to see...click to view larger image

The first question that came to my mind (and probably yours!) was:

“How did he get a “laptop battery” I thought had “died” up to work like that? How did he charge them?”

The 10 year old explained that since there was no electricity, he began experimenting with alternative ways to charge the batteries.

NB: Being a child, “realistic” thinking that a “dead” battery could not be charged, did not occur to him!

One day, he found that rubbing certain objects together with the batteries, made them retain a charge.

When that happened, he did more rubbing together. They soon got so well charged, that he was able to use his new “light source” in his room at night – even when power went off.

In fact, the night I arrived, it was his “lamp” that was used in the kitchen, because the generator had a fault (the normal lamp was in their mother’s room).

The 12 year old holds the home made lamp up for me to see...click to view larger image

Coming Soon: A Video Interview and Presentation With My 10 Year Old Son – and His Siblings

The above story is just about ONE of three impressive demonstrations my kids put up for me that day.

We’ve decided we’ll be putting up a proper online presentation in PDF and video. In it, they will be interviewed (by me) in detail, on how they recorded those achievements.

This is not to be an ego trip of sorts. There is serious useful purpose to it. Among other things, I want them to have the experience of teaching others to do what they do. Beyond that, I intend to help them “refine” the finishing of their “lamp”, to make it more presentable. And also explore ways to make the “battery charging by rubbing” happen more efficiently.

a. I do all this, to make them realise what they’ve done is commendable, and therefore inspire them to do more.

b. I also want to do it, so serve as an example to other parents and their kids of what is possible.

Therefore consider this article to be a “written trailer preview” of what is to come, regarding the above.

A Question for YOU: Are Your Kids Studying the Right Subject, Topics or “Things”?

Do you know your kids?

Are you interested in what they do?

Do you know what their talents, interests and capabilities are?

If not, I urge you to develop interest in learning all of that now, to help them reach their full potentials.

The earlier they find their calling, the better.

Don’t let your child waste years studying “medicine”, only to graduate and turn to Fashion Design!

Make smart use of your money, and your child’s early years.

Let her study where her passion lies – so she can truly excel in life!

Final Words: In Case You Didn’t Know, Spontaneous Coaching™ Can Help You Do The Above

By way of interest, my kids did not arrive at doing the above by accident.

You see, I make a habit of constantly observing them. Working at home really helps me do this effectively. As a result, I am able to identify the “instinctive tendencies” of each child.

Over time, I carefully guide them to do more, using what I refer to as Spontaneous Coaching for Self-Development™.

I’ve done this mainly with my 3 boys, who are now 14, 12 and 10 years old respectively, from the age of 5 (I’m now exploring ways to do same for their sisters – who are 7 and 4 years old respectively).

So you see, my passion for writing parenting articles is not by accident…and it’s certainly not forced!

By the time I relocated to Benin Republic, the 12 and 10 year old had “caught the bug”, and become self-driven.

And that’s why each time I go home, they often have something new to show me.

I’m however still working to get the 14 year old to tune in properly, to his passion.

[Update added Oct. 4 12.59: I feel a need to add this. The 14 year old is actually likely to mature into a thinker/writer kind. That’s why I sent him on a 6 month (weekends only) manual type writing coaching course over a year ago.

Since then, I’ve pushed him to try writing short stories – on the PC – based on the reading he does. He’s quite good at recalling stuff he’s interested in (e.g facts about wildlife such as sharks).

Like I’m doing here for his siblings, I put up his first “completed” short story on my blog, some months back. Click here to read it. Getting him to stay focussed and do more has however been the problem.]

He’s struggling right now, but I know we’ll get there – eventually. No one said it would be easy 😉

You too can learn to use Spontaneous Coaching, to help others – your kids especially – excel in life.

Start by reading my article on it here.

Then get in touch if you want to learn or know more.

Good luck!

PS: Note that I deliberately did not show my kids’ full photos, with their faces in this article, unlike past ones. They will of course appear in the video soon to be put up on this subject.

Career Development, My DN Travel News

Coach Others to Be Super Achievers (5 Experience Based Tips)

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The email testimonial below, was sent to me by a former subordinate. He’d visited me a year after I resigned from the company to become self-employed. Why? He wanted tips on how to excel at work, the way I had during my 7 year career. The amazing results he shared in his e-mail, within ONE year of our sessions together, demonstrate how truly powerful coaching can really be – IF properly done. This article features a flagship seminar based on my Spontaneous Coaching™ concept.

Email testimonial sent to me by a subordinate, 2 years after we separated.

And most times it won’t be hard work!

Take it from me. Coaching others to excel to their full potential can be easy to do, if you learn how.

The key is to know what to look for, and what to do when you find it. I offer the following pointers based on over 20 years of coaching others – using my Spontaneous Coaching™ technique

1. Not Everyone Will Be Ready

Understand that not all those you identify to need coaching will see it that way. There will be some who today will “feel” they are doing just fine. Yet you will see that they could do so much better with a little help.

In other words, these are people who know they have the “potential” to excel, and are already doing it at some basic level.

But you may see that they have yet to make the most of themselves. They may however be blind to that fact.

However, for as long as they do not see what you see, telling them so may not yield worthwhile results. Do so if you feel so strongly. But I have learnt that it pays to let situations and circumstances work together, to bring such persons around.

Let them feel a need to come looking for help. It is in that state of mind that they are most likely to listen to you, with the level of seriousness that is required.

So, keep that in mind. Not everyone will be ready for your coaching help. Therefore, don’t push it – or you could end up messing things up in a way that could stop them coming to you, if/when they “get it”.

2. Not Everyone Who Is Ready, Will Know S/he Is

There’s another side to readiness that I have noticed. A person may not be ready in terms of feeling that s/he needs coaching help. That’s the one I mentioned above.

However, there are those who may not be ready in terms of being convinced that s/he already has all that’s needed to excel.

Let me explain. Some people will actually be open to being coached. But their mindset will often be that it will still take them a long while to arrive at a point where they are capable of delivering excellent performance.

These are people who do not really know what they are capable of.

They have yet to connect with their “other selves” (to paraphrase Napoleon Hill), to discover that they can do anything they set their minds to.

So, in contrast to those above, you will see that people in this group have the “potential” to excel. But they are unaware that they have that potential. Since they are open to getting help, your role will be to show them what they are truly capable of doing, based on their potential.

Don’t just give them basic support, based on the request they make. Help them see the true potential they have to super-perform!

3. You Must Be Prepared – and Not Just In Terms of Competence

It goes without saying. But the preparation I refer to here is not the obvious kind. To coach others, one expects you must already be an achiever at a decent level in your own right.

If you’re not, PLEASE go do that first :-) Like the saying goes…”You cannot give what you do not have.”

But apart from your proven competence, something more important is required.

You need to develop the capacity for PATIENT observation, and for giving subtle feedback. And you must master how to do it at the right time and place.

People’s egos are fragile. Especially adults.

Consciously or unconsciously letting you coach them, will involve great emotional risk on their part.

You must not give them cause to feel the risk is too great, such that they withdraw. You must make them comfortable staying open to learning from you.

Many you coach are unlikely to be younger than you – except you wish to choose such persons. I end up coaching much older persons, and/or peers. Their social/educational backgrounds tend to vary greatly.

Great interpersonal communication skills, and an especially keen “emotional intelligence”, will get you far. People must feel they can trust you, before they will let you coach them.

NB: A Word on “Coaching”, as I Use It Here

By the way, I use the word “coaching” here – not necessarily to imply a formal coaching relationship.

Quite often, you will find need to “influence” people to get them to behave in ways you want. Or to get them to behave better, in a way that improves work output, or even larger society.

To get my co-workers back in paid employment (or my clients today) to work with me the way I want, I “coach(ed)” them. They do (did) not hire me to coach them. I choose (chose) to do that, to make mu work EASIER. Or to help improve things. Get it?

To learn more about my Spontaneous Coaching technique, read my article titled “Where Employee Training Fails, Spontaneous Coaching™ for Self-Development Can Help Your Company.”

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD BELOW: Since 2003, I have offered this one day flagship seminar on Spontanous Coaching™, as an on-demand learning event.

Click the image below, to download the 4 page PDF flyer.

Since 2003, I have offered this one day seminar as an on-demand learning event. Click to download this 4 page PDF flyer

4. Know When to Step Back – and Do So Once The Need Is Apparent

When people let you get close enough to coach them, they make themselves vulnerable before you. It becomes possible to see their imperfections.

Never get carried away and begin to probe insensitively. Or they’ll shut you out – probably permanently.

To coach others successfully, give needed tips or support in words/action as needed or requested.

Then carefully wait for signs that more is needed. This is VERY important. Don’t rush. Wait and watch.

If you see nothing to justify it, do NOT try to do more.

Leave them to make use of what you’ve given. If they feel a need for more they will return.

Here’s why: As a coach, your goal is to help people learn how to break psychological chains of limitation. From them on, they will be able to literally unleash themselves on the world, and excel.

By then, yours will simply be to step back and admire the works of your hands.

And that will be in form of them (i.e. those you’ve coached) actively pursuing, and achieving, self-actualisation!

5. Forget About Claiming Credit: They Will Gladly Return to Give It to YOU!

Think of the opportunity to help others in this way as a privilege.

In many cases those you coach may not even “recognise” that YOU have coached THEM!

Yet, without your “influence” in their lives, they may not have found the inspiration, or gained the insights to move to that new level.

Many do not understand this.

Coaching is not necessarily just physical, and face to face.

By telling stories or sharing experience based tips, in books you author, on your blog, and even on your facebook profile YOU CAN COACH others.

In case you’re wondering, that means ALL OF US can be coaches – if we made the deliberate effort. For those of us who are parents, our kids would probably make a good starting point.

I already coach mine – very, very deliberately, and the results are showing up already 😉

So don’t waste time trying to claim credit for the results your “coaching” helps others achieve.

Let them do that for you. It will happen, if you do it right.

Simply guide them to self-discovery, and on their own, they will come thanking you.

And that will do wonders for your credibility, your reputation…and your relationships.

For instance, such persons will rarely pay attention to any persons who try to turn them against you.

In other words, you’ll find them to be loyal friends or allies you can truly depend on!

How Will You Know You’re Succeeding?

Don’t worry, you will. They may not mention you. But your words/actions would have challenged them!

You are however likely to notice specific ones make significant changes in their lives, around the time your influence began.

I’ve seen lots of that happen in my social space – even on Facebook.

It’s a joy to know one is making such a useful contribution to the world.

And that’s ENOUGH for me…

I recommend, that you let it be enough for YOU as well :-)

Below: Two Different Testimonial E-mails (13 months apart) Sent By a Young Industrial Attachee (Intern), Who’d Reported Directly to Me While I Was Training Manager

Two Different Testimonial E-mails (13 months apart) Sent By a Young Industrial Attachee (Intern), Who'd Reported Directly to Me While I Was Training Manager