What if you could earn 80% of the income you need without needing to have clients? Wouldn’t that make your life as an expert so much more fulfilling?
Well I can tell you it’s a wonderful way to be in business – because that’s how I earn my income. In this article, I offer tips you can use to do what I’m doing, and make being your own boss a more pleasurable experience!
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Viewing adversity in a positive light(be it in business or everyday life) can sometimes amount to asking too much of some of us. As soon as a problem/difficulty appears to go on for longer than we feel we can tolerate. Or if it happens once too often for us to rationalize, we begin looking for someone or something to blame. Then the “Devil”(poor guy) gets accused of trying to make us fail.
Or someone in the “village” is fingered for “using remote control” to make our fortunes go sour. It can get worse – sometimes friends/relatives tell the affected person s/he must have done something wrong and ask him to pray for God to stop demonic attacks etc. This article presents timeless wisdom (based on testimonies by entrepreneurs of repute), and a narrative of a personal experience, that completely invalidate these frequently perpetuated myths.
Certain people wrongly believe that difficulty should never come the way of a person who strives honestly to achieve success – especially if s/he proclaims faith in God. Yet the evidence all around us proves irrevocably that it is often those who have passed through difficulty successfully, that end up achieving the successes they desire.
To drive home the point I’m trying to make here, I will refer to the very illuminating insight offered by a veteran entrepreneur – James R. Cook – in his best selling book “The Start up Entrepreneur”. He said that based on elaborate studies he had done of the lives of hundreds of entrepreneurs, he had come to the conclusion that there is a correlation between the amount of suffering a person undergoes before succeeding, and the degree of success s/he eventually achieves.
Going further, he explained that persons who set big goals for themselves should look forward to enduring long drawn periods of worry and painful adversity, adding that as the amount of suffering endured increases, so is the success ultimately recorded likely to increase too.
Any aspiring entrepreneur with a sound understanding of the “purpose of adversity” at the back of his/her mind, will be able to face squarely the business of paying his/her dues, ultimately, earning the right to enviable heights of success aimed for.
Jim Rohn advises that we should learn to view life as requiring us to succeed in spite of adversity and not in its absence. This is because, if there is no adversity, there cannot be achievement! Sounds simple – yet it CAN be so difficult to remember when one is going through adversity(I KNOW this because I have been “there” many times!). Which is why reading – as a habit – is essential. Reading helps to maintain mental stamina through repeated contact with words that communicate truths like those Jim Rohn shares, to us, so we can stay strong in those times of true testing.
I think I should give a personal example here. Some years ago, I placed an advertisement in The Guardian newspaper for a seminar, only to have a ZERO turnout of attendees on the scheduled date! After discussing about it for a while with a friend, I was able to arrive at 4 major faults with my plans/preparations that could have led to the problem. But rather than leave it at that, I decided to document the experience for use in future seminars as an EXAMPLE of how things can go wrong.
So, while still at the venue, I got my video cameraman to do a 10 minute recording of me, speaking about what had happened and what we believed had led to it. We deliberately added humour to the video clip by showing all the EMPTY seats in the seminar hall, and finally focusing on the wall clock, which showed it was already 1.00pm(planned seminar start time was 11.00am!).
You see, I made up my mind to use the lessons learnt from that “failure” to make myself better in every way possible. The memory of that failure DROVE me to be extra prepared for every project I undertake. And this has helped me win more high profile clients in my work.
It’s a habit I developed years ago – and it made me quite successful when I was in paid employment. Read my article titled “How To Turn A Major Blunder At Work Into A Career Advancement Opportunity ” to learn more.
So, let me challenge you. From today, stop asking why your plans are not going as well as another person’s. Begin to understand and appreciate the fact that you will have to find YOUR own unique path to achieve YOUR own success, which will require you to periodically deal with the challenge of unpleasant situations, in form of diverse visitations of adversity.
Know today that suffering – or adversity – is not bad – except you see it as bad. The perspective you adopt is what determines whether a particular experience is bad or good for you. If you choose to actively search for, and utilise the (ever present – but often hidden – potential equivalent) benefits of every experience of suffering you undergo, you will be better off for it over time.
PS: This article is based on a piece that was first published online on Submitted On March 22, 2011
Ever tried to pursue a goal that others were skeptical about/voiced their doubts to your hearing? If YES, do you recall how painful it was to hear them express a lack of faith in your ability to do something YOU BELIEVED was within your capacity to do?
When you had a setback(s), delay(s) or disappointment(s), what kinds of looks did you get from those who felt they had “warned” you not to embark on your “journey”? What comments did they make to your hearing? (You’ll probably never know what they said behind your back!).
Were you able to overcome THE “temporary defeat” (that’s what it is, you know – “temporary”), to eventually achieve the goal?
I certainly hope so, because if you did not, that means you chose to STOP because some tactless, “know-it-all”, arm chair theorist “dream killer” decided to give up on your behalf, and YOU LET HIM/HER!
When human beings decide to embark on some meaningful endeavour, they usually try to share the “dream” with those they care about, and whose opinions they value.
The problem sometimes however is that people we care about measure us based on the “inside” knowledge they have of our foibles. In ironic contrast, total strangers who observe us(without bias) in passionate pursuit of our goals tend to become our greatest fans, and most fervent advocates.
Why? Because their perception of us is NOT coloured by what they KNOW (or think they KNOW) about us!
NB: In my experience however, if someone who has “inside” knowledge about us chooses to be mischievous, s/he can use it to “discourage” the “strangers” who admire/cheer us (and THIS does happen), so that the latter also begin to think/act like the former.
Everybody has shortcomings, inadequacies, or weaknesses. What sets one person apart from another will be his/her ability to ACHIEVE in spite of whatever limitations s/he has. Now, to achieve in spite of your “missings”, you will need to BELIEVE in yourself. Those who know you, unfortunately (for THEM) may not be willing to do the same.
When the inevitable delays, disappointments and setbacks begin to come, you may start discovering that NOT all those who are with you are really WITH YOU!
Having said that, the truth is you do not need others to believe in you FIRST before you can succeed. What you must however avoid is a situation where those who do NOT believe have the FINAL say about whether you should keep going or give up when things get tough.
You must NEVER put that kind of power in the hands of others – especially NOT people who do not believe like you do, in your dream/vision.
To keep going, you will come up with a new plan based on learnings from each one that fails, and summon courage to mention it to those who are still around, and who are magnanimous enough to pay you ANY serious attention. With some you may have to grit your teeth to ENDURE their heavenward “rolling of eyeballs” and sighs/looks of boredom. Oh yes, I’ve been there before – believe me! 
If you’ve been at it a while, you will probably have gotten used also to walking into a room and having those seated at a table suddenly stop talking. In this regard, a perpetual nagging feeling that you were being “discussed” may not be altogether unfamiliar!
The point being made is that you could end up completely ON YOU OWN at some point, with no one else believing in you, or your cherished dream – except YOU! THAT would be the ultimate test of YOUR own self-belief.
This is because THEIR loss of interest would be likely to cause you to lose your motivation to DO IT, even though you could actually succeed.
Self-Belief is what makes it possible for a small David to defeat a BIG Goliath in real-life.
VERY often it’s not size that matters, but ABILITY.
Funny thing is that regardless of our size, as influenced by our genetic make-up, we can ALWAYS hone our SKILLS so that our ability to ACHIEVE is improved. And frequently, when we back our IMPROVED ability with determination and SELF-BELIEF, it becomes extremely difficult for us to LOSE.
I once read an article by Valerie Young in which she mentioned how a 60 year old Beverly Goodman whose marriage just ended, (ignoring discouraging comments from others that no one would hire a lawyer her age) attended law school while holding a full time job.
She subsequently passed the bar exams, and went on to land a job with a law firm at an age(61) many assume retirement is inevitable!
Goodman reportedly said “I thought this age stuff was baloney”. She believed – in spite of THEIR unbelief – that she could do it!
Napoleon Hill advised that when you choose members of your mastermind team (persons you “recruit” to support you in pursuit of your valued goal), MAKE SURE you DO NOT choose persons who take defeat seriously.
Don’t engage “cry babies” i.e. the perpetual worriers and fickle-minded persons who see every little problem as a catastrophe, and who readily conclude that ALL is lost without being willing to join in to find solutions.
Fickle minded people are driven – even RULED – by their FEARS.
This makes them VERY risk averse, and consequently they never venture beyond what they already know, to try anything new in their own lives. The result is that they live lives of mediocrity till they pass on.
By the time the BIG problems come, they will be screaming for everyone to “abandon ship”.
If you have many of them on board, they’ll all jump off leaving you behind. If they happen to be the ones you depend on for financial support, and/or access to other resources, you will find it difficult getting ANYTHING out of them at critical periods.
That, and NOT the fact that your situation is hopeless is what could ultimately cause your plans to fail PERMANENTLY. At that point, THEY would have successfully given up on YOUR behalf!
So PLEASE avoid enlisting the support of these kinds of people – who can sometimes come in the shape of your closest relatives and friends. In case you discover one or more such persons in your team, plan to “offload” them As Gently As Possible (AGAP) and ASAP!
Trust me – you’ll be glad you did.
PS: This article is based on excepts from an original piece published online in December 2007
Maybe in the earlier days, it was okay to do that i.e. judge a website by its design.
But today, with the massive proliferation of websites and the need for discerning visitors to save time, effort and money in finding what they want, MORE people are realising this TRUTH: The design of a website does not necessarily guarantee it will have GOOD, USEFUL or RELIABLE content quality.
Appearances can be quite deceptive as we all know. And it is a known fact that it is unadvisable to judge a book by its cover – or indeed a car by its looks – you cannot be sure what’s under the hood!
Some of the most useful websites I’ve visited actually struck a decent balance between the design and content quality – with some leaning more towards the latter.
That does not – of course – mean you should go looking for ugly sites, but it’s just to alert you to the fact – for instance – that the best “experts” in a specific field you are considering, may not come to you packaged, on their websites, as attractively as less competent ones!
If you fail to take a closer look – “under the hood” – for content quality, you could just end up shortchanging yourself.
To underscore the point I’ve made in this write-up, consider this:
Most fraudulent websites typically use exceptionally impressive or aesthetically appealing web designs to win the confidence of their target audience, who ultimately get scammed!
What I am saying is that you need to avoid concluding that a website with a design that does not “impress” YOU (or meet your design TASTES), will NOT offer value for money by way of products or services it offers.
Do yourself a favour and take a few extra steps to CHECK and confirm what it offers in terms of QUALITY – and THEN contact the owner/company.
You could start by exploring the site extensively for articles, newsletters and other information that could provide insight you need. Using what you find, send in questions via email or the website contact form (if any), watch the kinds of responses you get etc.
Sooner than later, you’ll be able to take an intelligent decision about what to do. And by that time, chances of your making a regrettable or costly mistake will have been considerably reduced.
NB: This article was first published online in January 2011.
[Tip: The quote below, credited to the Dalai Lama inspired me to write this article] No matter the individual wealth we accumulate or personal achievements we record, as long as we fail to help others struggling/suffering around us find their own places in life (NOT necessarily by giving them money), we WILL ALL be failures – ultimately.
“Each one of us is responsible for the whole of human kind. We need to think of each other really as brothers and sisters and to be concerned for each other’s welfare. Rather than working solely to acquire wealth, we need to do something meaningful, something directed seriously towards the welfare of humanity as a whole.” – Dalai Lama
How can you be spiritual, when you lack the ability to feel EMPATHY.
When you lack EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE?
Too many people love to feel big and accomplished when they see others looking up to them in envy and begging for help. What they fail to realise is that what they have which they allow their egos to get bloated over, has been given to then in TRUST.
The right thing to do, is to SHARE it with others, so as to complete the circle.
We must understand that we are not here to compete, but to create, and improve the lives of one another.
Check yourself – look around your neighbourhood, and social groups.
What do you see? Is there something you can TEACH someone, to equip him/her to become self-dependent and more fulfilled TODAY?
As always, I walk my talk. I do not ask people to do what I cannot or will not do.
I’m already doing my bit. And you know what I’ve discovered?
You really won’t need a grant from the Ford Foundation or World Bank, to make a lasting poitive impact in the lives of people who need your help!
Give of yourself – unconditionally.
Open doors of opportunities.
Create a level playing field for aspirants to a position.
If you are in a position of influence or authority, give everyone a fair and impartial opportunity to get what they want, based on merit and competence.
For instance, asking a Muslim to become born again, as a pre-condition for helping him/her.
Doing this would defeat your purpose.
Let your deeds speak volumes for your religious convictions.
Those who are touched will on their own get converted.
Otherwise, you’ll end up with “phony” converts who only join you because they want what you are offering – and NOT because they truly believe.
Sooner than later, they will cause you major embarrassment!
=Starts=
“Each one of us is responsible for the whole of humankind. We need to think of each other really as brothers and sisters and to be concerned for each other’s welfare. Rather than working solely to acquire wealth, we need to do something meaningful, something directed seriously towards the welfare of humanity as a whole.” – Dalai Lama
=Ends=
In February 2001, about 4 months after I got promoted out of my shift-based Brewer position, to become the Guinness Nigeria Plc Benin Brewery Technical Training & Development Manager, I came to the conclusion that I needed to fast-track my plans to quit paid employment and start my own business.
I had been plotting my exit from the company since 2 years before, in collaboration with a close friend and confidant of mine who – unlike me – worked in the Finance department. He knew of my many frustrations with not being able to pursue my passions – and especially my desire to be free to explore new ideas I had.
If a client company’s decision maker demands gratification, as a condition for awarding YOU business, what would YOU do? In this article, I destroy the myth some – misguided – “experts” perpetuate, that, to succeed, one must give in improper demands from crooked client company representatives!
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Preamble: Don’t Waste Time Waiting To Find a Speaking School!
Many people I have spoken with out here about learning public speaking have demonstrated this bias. Whenever I explained to them that there are many self-study learning resources they can adopt to learn public speaking, they expressed reservations about adopting a similar method.
I am not saying it is wrong to attend public speaking classes or school, if you can find – and afford – them. However, my studies have revealed to me that some of the best speakers the world has known actually learnt via self-study.
Here’s how they achieved that feat:
They read extensively about master speakers still alive and those who had passed on. They studied their biographies to identify what made those speakers successful.
Then they used what they learnt as a guide in developing their own unique skills and styles as public speakers. You do NOT need to be in a formal learning environment or class, to read books and learn from them. It is usually done better when you are alone!
To succeed as a speaker, you must have a message you want to pass to anyone who will listen. To do really well, you have to be VERY passionate about your subject – feel deeply and strongly about it.
It is this passion for the subject that will make you think deeply about it, so that you generate powerful messages destined to impact your audience and make them appreciate you. Thinking deeply about issues does NOT require being in a formal learning environment. AGAIN, it is usually done better when you are alone!
And they did not wait until they had an audience to do it. Abraham Lincoln reportedly practiced as he walked to and from his home, office etc. He gathered people around him to listen to his talks. When possible, he took part in debates.
He sat alone in his room and read aloud speeches crafted in line with what he had read, and thought up, revising it till it sounded right. Sometimes he silently imagined himself delivering his talk – visualising the event the way he wanted it to take place.
Today, with availability of audio and video recorders built into various devices such as phones and computers, you have more options for practicing in the absence of an audience!
Dale Carnegie recommends recording your planned talk or speech and playing it back to hear yourself. It provides excellent avenue to improve your delivery. Practicing does NOT necessarily require being in a formal learning environment. You can use the above strategies, and also gather family members or close friends together to critique your talk.
In an article I read, Les Brown recommended that one Speak for FREE until you are sure you’ve got the hang of it. Burt Dubin agrees, having passed the same route to success himself. In the introduction video on his website, he says “If I, a high school drop out can do it, then so can YOU! ” I would add that IF Abraham Lincoln, with all the odds stacked against him could have done it, via self-study (and in spite of myriad failures), then so CAN YOU!
I followed Burt’s advice from his many articles and newsletters, back in 2002, and before the end of that same year, I successfully negotiated and got paid for my first speaking outing here in Lagos.
Not every one will have access to formal institutions providing public speaking training or coaching. If that applies to you, know that you will NOT be the first person with that seeming limitation. Abraham Lincoln’s example is especially compelling. He walked miles to borrow books and read under candle light late into the night, and as dawn broke, woke up to continue.
He had only a few months of schooling, and so lacked access to formal learning institutions to pursue his passion for speaking. But this did not deter him. He adopted self-study methods, and practiced endlessly. Today he is remembered as one of the greatest speakers the world has known. So, sometimes it could actually be a blessing in disguise that you have to self-study.
That outcome depends mainly on your INTEREST, DESIRE, and PASSION – demonstrated in the energy you will pour into doing all the studying, thinking and practicing that will make you develop into a good speaker. You alone ultimately determine how good you will become – and NOT necessarily your attendance of a public speaking school.
I honestly believe that if available, the quality of INSTRUCTION your receive in the art of public speaking can make a difference in how you turn out as a speaker. A competent mentor will know how to help you discover and develop your FULL potential. S/he will guide you, drawing from his/her past personal speaking experiences and also from studying other speakers.
But you know what? S/he, i.e. your mentor, does NOT need to meet with you physically, to play this important role. Indeed, today’s technology makes it much easier to receive instruction on almost any subject, regardless of distance or geographical location – public speaking being a good example.
In case you’re looking to get started with a mentor, one that I strongly recommend (and who I represent as Sole Agent) is Burt Dubin – who mentors experts who want to be speakers, and speakers who want to be masters. Click here to visit his Speaker Mentoring Products and Services website.
They LOVED it. However, I’ll write later on about the intriguing events preceding the talk I delivered yesterday, at Sherryville Arcade-Lagos, to a group of CEOs and Network Marketing Professionals. (Hint: I came in right from Cotonou border, but arrived over 1 hour late, despite hiring a taxi, due to crazy Lagos traffic)!
To make it up to attendees who waited (those who had to leave get the DVD), I gave an EXTRA hour of information, education, tips and insights based on multiple true stories!
The DVD’s contents include…
1. Two FULL Hours (4 MP3 Audio Recordings) of my Talk delivered yesterday – on the subject:
“Spend Less Money & Time to Make Customers Find & Contact You, Even While You Sleep.”
1. How much money do you spend using the web monthly?
2. How much money do you MAKE from using the web monthly?
None of them could say he was making MORE than he SPENT on the web!
[Note to reader: If YOU also spend MORE, this DVD recording of the talk can help you!]
Would you not challenge the CEO to do better, or possibly even demand that s/he be replaced for reckless spending?
That’s why YOU need to LEARN what to do to attract buyers at zero cost, by listening to these DVD audio recordings!
Key talking points I discussed using multiple true stories about myself/my clients were:
a. What to do to MAKE more money than you spend using the web for your business
b. What you should be selling that you are not (NO MATTER what business you do).
c. How to continue selling even during holidays, when offices and banks are closed.
d. How to make smart use of technology to cut your marketing costs by 25 to 50%.
e. How to find the right kinds of buyers for your products/services.
f. Why you need to educate your prospects and clients if you want to sell MORE profitably.
g. Why website traffic is NOT what you need to monitor, if you want web marketing success.
h. How a Web Marketing System can make ALL the above happen even while you sleep.
In addition, there is screen shot video presentation which explains the 9 key components of a Web Marketing System (WMS).
Plus, you also get my 3 part educational MP3 audio series:
“Why You Need a Web Marketing System”(see “Audio 1”, “Audio 2” & “Audio 3” on DVD menu.
All buyers of the DVD get FREE 30 minutes Consultation Session with me, on what to do & how to get started, to achieve zero cost marketing successes.
Price = N5,000 (Five Thousand Naira)
Email tayo at tksola dot com for details or fill/submit this contact form.
Feeding is one critical element that determines how well poultry or any other farm animals perform. It impacts not only on growth rates, but also on the disease resistance of the birds(though protection is also afforded the birds through vaccination/medication regimes).
To put it another way, it has been acknowledged that ‘Diet is an important component of the environment under all climatic conditions. The potential of the bird cannot be attained if the environment, and notably the diet, is substandard.
Poultry farming, though potentially lucrative, can be fairly risky if a farmer is not diligent. Some farmers have recorded severe losses by way of disease outbreaks or dismal productivity resulting from poor feeding among other things.
Apart from the hygiene condition of the environment where poultry are kept, the types of feeds – and manner of feeding – that the birds are subjected to can prove quite critical in determining the ultimate output achieved by a farmer whether in terms of eggs laid, or bird sizes/weight at point of sale.
He pointed out many of these farmers lack formal training in poultry management. However, despite this seemingly serious inadequacy, they successfully feed/manage their birds for profit – which is why they remain in business even today!
Now if that is possible, imagine how much better off they would be in terms of farm productivity (and profits) if they developed a better knowledge/understanding of poultry feedstuffs and ration formulation/compounding!!
Feeding is one critical element that determines how well poultry or any other farm animals perform. It impacts not only on growth rates, but also on the disease resistance of the birds (though protection is also afforded the birds through vaccination/medication regimes).
To put it another way, it has been acknowledged that ‘Diet is an important component of the environment under all climatic conditions. The potential of the bird cannot be attained if the environment, and notably the diet, is substandard.
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Estimates have shown that feeds represent 70 – 75% of the total cost of livestock production – especially poultry and piggery production. Ration formulation is a technique that enhances adaptation of local feed stuffs in compounding rations. It takes into consideration 2 basic concepts:
a. The specific nutrient requirement of different animals.
b. The ingredients of the feed itself.
There is also some specific requirement dependent on the type of animal in question: whether it is monogastric or ruminant. A ruminant animal is one that brings back food from its stomach and chews it again, and which is able to digest cellulose (a complex carbohydrate) with the aid of microorganisms, which live in its intestines e.g. Cow and sheep. A monogastric is one that can is incapable of digesting complex carbohydrates e.g. poultry etc.
Nutrients are chemical substances found in food materials (feeds), which are required for the growth, maintenance, production and health of animals.
When rations are well balanced, a smaller quantity is required for most economic efficiency, while greater amounts of a poorly balanced ration will be required to meet the specific production purposes in livestock. These greater amounts constitute expensive wastes, which could have been saved if the rations had been well balanced in the first place.
Poorly balanced rations depress appetite in animals leading to poor performance, and high susceptibility to infection and disease. In carrying out ration formulation, we study the daily nutrient requirements of different animals, and compare with the composition of available feed ingredients. We then manipulate the latter to meet the needs for satisfactory productivity either in terms of meat, milk or egg production.
Next: Part 2 of 2- Discussion of Four (4) Major Groups of Feed Ingredients For Ration Formulation
