Category Archives: Self-Development

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SMART Acronym for People Who Succeed (Incl. Infographic)

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[NB: Post updated – see bottom – on Wed 18th Dec 2013 @2:04pm – causing reset of views counter.] You probably know the popular SMART acronym – a mnemonic – for setting goals and objectives (“S” for Specific, “M” for Measurable etc). I’m not referring to that. Over the past 10 years, I’ve conceived a different SMART acronym, this time in relation to people. Here is my SMART Acronym for People Who Succeed (complete with an infographic) :-)

[Hint: Remember now, we’re NOT talking about SMART project “objectives” here. Its people I’m referring to!]

1. “S” is for “Serious Minded”

How can you tell if a person is serious minded? A simple way is to observe what s/he has interest in doing, as opposed to what s/he is committed to doing.

Consider a business owner who tells you s/he wants more sales in his/her business. Her attitude towards learning what will be needed to make that happen will indicate how serious s/he is.

Many times people express interest in something, but are not prepared to commit the required time, effort and sometimes money, to doing it. That’s why people attend the same business marketing workshop and 6 months later, some have succeeded in growing more business, and others have not!

People who are committed to achieving their set goals never let anything interfere with doing what is necessary to make that happen. Not friends, relatives, habits, hobbies or pleasures of any sort!

People I consider SMART are serious minded about pursuing their valued personal goals.

2. “M” is for “Motivated”

Serious minded people will usually find it easy to be motivated. This is because their commitment to achieving their goal drives them.

A motivated person is one who has found a reason to go out and do something. I often talk about having a Magnificent Obsession – an expression I got from a book I read – about having a major life purpose.

People I consider to be SMART in terms of my definition are men and women who have found their purpose. They wake up KNOWING exactly what they want to do, and where they need to go.

Usually, they would have worked the day before to a point, then upon stopping thought ahead (and even dreamt about) steps they would take from the next day!

Such people “hit the ground running” each morning. SMART people are motivated in that way!

3. “A” is for “Action Oriented”

Jim Rohn wisely noted that “Motivation alone is not enough. Motivate an idiot then you have a motivated idiot”.

Understand the context in which Mr. Rohn made that statement by checking the dictionary meaning of an “idiot”. What I’d call a contemporary definition of an “idiot” is provided at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiot

So, Mr. Rohn was right. An idiot can indeed be motivated and still be unproductive.

But such persons generally occur in the minority in larger society.

So, here we’re looking at normal people who fail to take action despite being motivated. Why? I say it’s because they let their motivation wear off. And how do they do that? It’s by failing to find an anchor for it in their daily lives.

For instance, lots of successful people reveal that they build a vision of their dream on paper and hang where they’ll see it everyday. Then they create a tasks list which they check off at the end of each day, to help them get the feeling of moving closer to achieving their dream.

Anyone who claims to be motivated, and can still find a reason not to follow the above example is definitely NOT action oriented!

4. “R” is for “Results Focused”

Now, someone can be serious minded, and not be motivated to get results that matter.

Don’t believe me? I’ll give you a good example.

I see them everyday. People who are always busy (doing little or nothing worthwhile that is!). You will struggle to get them to give you a few minutes of their time. Always in a hurry they are. Rushing off to meetings, to keep appointments etc. But at the end of each day, or the week, few of the truly important things ever get done!

I used to work with such people. You could agree at this week’s brewery meeting to have Work Instruction drafts written for use in training a new set of operatives coming in. They’d always assure you it’d be done. All week you would chase them via phone, and even visit their offices.

Yet, at the end of the day, nothing…or very little happens. And you may have to do it all yourself, to meet the deadline!

People I call SMART are not like that. They produce results. When they tell you I’ll send you the finished paper in 24 hours, better be ready, because that finished paper WILL arrive by then, if not before!

5. “T” is for “Tenacious”

I use tenacity interchangeably with persistence. And I love the following quote, which, to me, perfectly captures the full meaning:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence; Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent” – Ray Kroc (Founder of McDonalds)

Believe me, dear reader. Even with all the moral and financial support in the world, people still fail due to lack of tenacity.

A guy who has money bags backing him, and family root for him to run swim a world record breaking distance can choose to quit before getting to the finish line. And it will often not be that s/he could not finish. Instead, in his/her head the desire to keep going, to refuse to fail, would have died.

When I quit paid employment with Guinness Nigeria, Andy R. Jones, the expatriate brewery head of Guinness Benin in Edo state (apart from what he wrote in Xmas cards sent to me) said – repeatedly – during a departmental send-forth part organised in my honour: “Tayo simply refuses to fail”. And he told stories from the times I worked in the brewery reporting to him.

Basically, I never sat back and let things go wrong. Until the very last second I would come up with new ideas and action steps that could be used co-opt others and try to save things or get more done. Many times I succeeded.

I did not know Andy Jones was taking note of my actions!

So you see, people I call SMART, never give up.

They are tenacious with a vengeance.

They don’t know when they are beaten.

Nor do they accept to back down.

In fact, I would say they have what Burt Dubin calls bulldog blood.

And guess what? You get the transfusion(of bulldog blood that is) simply by reading the words and believing, then taking ACTION, until you get what you want!

Final Words

Infographic - Tayo Solagbade's SMART acronym for people

These above described 5 key qualities must be consistently demonstrated by an individual, if s/he is to qualify to be called SMART by me.

Err…but who exactly am I, to go around changing definitions up on people, and dictating whether or not they can be called SMART?

Indeed, why should anyone take this my new application of a well known acronym seriously?

My answer: I have no idea!

Except of course you consider the fact that I happen to consistently achieve exceptional performance levels in virtually every area of endeavour I venture. And I have done so, consistently, for more than the last 2 decades of my life!

I achieved that level of reckoning by being SMART in paid employment – as described above. That was about 12 years ago.

Today, I’ve already recorded similar superlative levels of performance, as an entrepreneur. And it’s attracting the same kinds of feedback and commentary that I got while earning a salary.

Once again, the common element that runs through it all is my diligent commitment to being SMART in line with my definition.

To top it off, those who have been coached by me get infected with this virus of mine too :-)

As a result, they subsequently go on to record success levels that surprise those who know them and even themselves. I have many testimonials, hand written to me, from teenagers, to young people in their early twenties, who just had to let me know!

They became SMART, as per my above definition, and their lives were changed for the better.

You can achieve similar results for yourself, if you feel you need such. Simply read and re-read the 5 different description of the SMART acronym’s components.

And then put what you learn to use.

It’s simple to understand, but may not be easy to do.

Yet if you see it through, you’ll never look back again. And those who know you will regard you with amazement!

UPDATE (Wednesday 18th December 2013 @2:04pm Cotonou): My SMART Acronym Does Not Aim to (& Cannot) Replace or Contradict The Original SMART Acronym!

I touched on the above fact at the start of THIS article, when I first published it yesterday p.m. But experience has taught me it pays to CLARIFY properly. Some people are experts at jumping to VERY wrong conclusions!

My “SMART” acronym is not meant to invalidate the standard, original acronym we all know and use in setting goals and objectives. That original SMART acronym is powerfully useful, and I LOVE using it.

What I have done is to conceive of one to be applied to PEOPLE. That’s all. Just a little change in perspective, based on something people already use.

So, just like you would check for each of the 5 components (S, M, A, R, and T) in a goal or objective, I would check for each of the 5 qualities I’ve described for my SMART acronym in people.

Guess what?

9.9 times out of 10 I have found that people who have those qualities tend to succeed more often. And that is what this is all about. A “gauge” of sorts that anyone can apply to check him/herself for “success readiness”!

But I’ve presented my idea DELIBERATELY in this manner, seemingly contradicting what people know, just to raise eyebrows – and in the process get their attention…hee hee hee :-))

Hopefully, I’ve gotten some people thinking and talking.

If any person(s) have been “upset” by this article (which would be surprising, since the “SMART” acronym is not anyone’s relative or private property!), I’d suggest taking a chilled bottle of Coke, and letting off steam please. It’s Xmas season! Thank YOU :-))

=======WHAT PEOPLE WROTE=========

“(Tayo Solagbade) is amazing and I think he is going to produce some impressive results online…” – click here to read full comment by Patrick Meninga (US based 6 figure income blogger who gained fame for building a $2,000 per month adsense website and selling it for $200,000).

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“Tayo, I honestly believe you are one of those who will succeed at anything he does. Your commitment and effort has been outstanding….Thanks for all your hard work since I’ve been here – you will be sorely missed. I don’t need to wish you good luck, you have the ability to make your own luck. – Andy”(R. Jones)*

*Operations Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc Benin Brewery, December 2001 (Handwritten comments in farewell/xmas cards sent to Tayo Solagbade following his resignation to start his own business).

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“From:”Obadiaru, Osawemwenze” <email address deleted >

To:”Tayo Solagbade” <email address deleted >

Subject: Greetings from Benin!!!!

Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 14:27:30 +0100

Uncle (Tayo),

Greetings to you from your boy. How are you doing?…All
is well here in Benin and everybody is really been bugged again by this ISO audit thing.

All the same you have set a standard, that nobody will dare to go below. I really miss
you sir, your words of encouragement, your pressures, your drive, your humor and
every thing about you. But in consolation, I try so hard to follow your footsteps, which
I have been doing little by little, and I am sometimes amazed at the things I do.

…I look
up to you, and really desire to someday dedicate a major success in my life to you, for
the little while I spent with you has been a turning point in my life. I will always be

grateful to you.

Keep the flag flying sir. Regards

Osas

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“To Mr. Tayo Solagbade.

I appreciate all your effort. It is through you I knew the difference between Schooling and Education and its also through you that I knew that mathematics as a subject can be answered in many ways. I am very grateful.” – Ifeanyi Okeke, SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

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“To Mr Tayo Solagbade…you made me understand what the world speaks.” – Adepoju Samson, SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

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“Mr Tayo Solagbade…he has educated me so that he had touched that thing in me that motivates me.” – , SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

“The speaker, Mr Solagbade, is an authority in his field. (He is) an achiever who is able to carry his audience along with him in his message/speech” – Baker A.T, Confidential Secretary, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

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“There’s a lot more to learn (experience wise) from the speaker(Tayo Solagbade)…Honestly, he gave so much within a short time. I learnt a lot without writing much. It’s amazing!” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“Your (talk) encourages people not to depend on sycophancy to achieve their aims. People are also encouraged to leave the level of mediocrity. One needs to look inwards and make use of one’s potentials to reach the greatest heights. I hope this
is not the last session we will be having with you” – Ezemba C.I (Miss), Teacher, Corona Schools

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“The (talk) is very (useful for) those who want to up-grade themselves. The older generation who think they have come to the end of their career would find it very very useful to rejuvenate their attitude, interest and empower themselves to greater goals.” – E.C. Sarsal, Corona Schools

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“The Ten Ways for Self-Development would go a long way (in) improving teaching/learning situation(s).” – Cynthia Nwosu (Mrs.), Corona Schools

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“It was an interesting (talk), and the speaker spoke well, with a lot of experiences that (were) so educative.” – Emmanuel (Mrs.), Corona Primary School Victoria Island

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“Mr Tayo Solagbade is a very good motivator. I really appreciated him but the time was short.” – S.E. Atkins, Corona Schools

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“(The talk was) ‘very useful’ (and the speaker was) ‘excellent’…Good insight for the much needed Human Revolution to drive creativity in this nation.” – Oma Williams, Director, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

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“A very worthwhile exercise. The package can however be improved by making it organisation specific.” – C. I. Okeke, AD/Research Consulting, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

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“The speaker, to me, is quite an inspiration to the young generation” – Nwaokokoh Eddy Azuka, Confidential Secretary, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

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“This is a celebration of Change Management, quite an appropriate and timely presentation at CMD to Stimulate Change.” – Binuyo, Francis A. (Mr.), MDO I, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village, Shangisha, Lagos.

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“Well this is my first seminar and I think I have gained a lot…I am on NAPEP attachment to the centre for a while, but generally speaking I think you are good and can go even above the sky. I wish I could get in touch with you for more lectures (on) Self-Development, as regards Career Development or probably Personal Development.” – Sanwo Pamela A., Unemployed Graduate, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

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“The presentation content and style was nice.” – Adjekophori Peter, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“The training course and approach used was a good and kind of unique one, – talking about the mind map.” – Odunlami Olaitan. O. Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“The practical real life experiences (made) the seminar more realistic…The seminar fuels my heart to develop myself the more.” – Kemi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“The training was a new dimension to the act of personal effectiveness, was less of theory but of tested and proven principles. Keep it up!“- Oluwakemi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“This is an academy that will go a long way in helping to develop the youths of this country. Keep up the good work.” – Alake Oluwayemisi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“(Tayo Solagbade) is a very good speaker who was able to communicate his (ideas) effectively without boring me and wasting no time. Within the short time he spent, he gave loaded and relevant information/(ideas) which were superb.” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“The presenter was superb. He dealt with the topic extensively, citing real life experiences that (were) personal to him.” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“The facilitator (Tayo Solagbade) has done so well, and he has made me to feel that the sky is not my limit but the start, if I can apply all the personal effectiveness principles appropriately.” – Onifade Olajide, – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

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“I was very impressed with the speaker (Tayo Solagbade), his integrity, method of delivery and what he had to say. This should not stop here. I personally need access to those books and if pointed in that direction will be happy. Also, I will be happy if (I can be shown) ways to apply oneself to the concept of Self Development as regards my job as a teacher, that will help me to be a better time manager.” – Teacher, Corona Primary School, Ikoyi, Lagos.

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“I am really impressed and I think I have to wake up.” – Teacher, Corona School Branch

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“It has been a very useful session which can make people or employees wake up from lethargy. It is a wake-up call for continual hope and rejuvenation for speed to higher ground to life aspiration.” – Teacher, Corona School Branch

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“I observed that you are a real model of a saying that when a child washes his/her hands well he/she will eat on the same table with a king.” – School Nurse, Corona School Branch

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“I have observed that you are sacrificing your time to help mankind explore new grounds and live a happier life. More grease to your elbows.” – Eke N. (Mrs), Corona School Branch

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“This talk/seminar is very good and realistic. Someone who wants to be an achiever should adopt and practice these ten ways.” – M. O. Ihonor – Head Teacher, Corona School Branch

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“…The Ten Ways on Self-Development inspire me to the marrow, and henceforth are going to be (the) guiding ideologies, principles and work concepts in my life.” – Oduye Olumuyiwa, Corona School

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“(The talk) is an eye opener and very important tool that can be used to become great. I think I buy your ideas too. Thanks a lot.” – Mrs. Atere F.O. – Secretary, Corona School

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“The general comment I will like to make is that I can call this seminar a vision seminar. So my comment is that you can make this vision a wider vision by having a complete textbook on it.” – Assistant Teacher, Corona School

 

Entrepreneurship, My DN Travel News, Self-Development

To Succeed, You Need to Treat Money With Respect

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“If it is true that money talks, the only word we ever heard it say is: ‘Goodbye’.” – Anon.

Probably no other group of people understand the foregoing statement better than entrepreneurs – especially start-ups. With few exceptions, entrepreneurs often find themselves tormented with perpetual cash shortages, or outright outages.

This happens at various stages of their businesses, not just during the start-up phase.

That’s why a good number tend to experience prolonged periods of highs and lows, mainly due to cash limitations, which plague their enterprises. Those able to weather those storms emerge, often at a higher plane of achievement compared to others.

There is almost no suffering as painful as that arising from prolonged lack of access to cash.

James R. Cook rightly noted (in his book “The Startup Entrepreneur”) that many who failed in business, often quit trying due to the terrifying experience of lack of cash.

Yet, he also notes that there is a direct correlation between the degree of suffering a person goes through, and the eventual heights of success they achieve.

The greater the suffering, the greater the degree of successes achieved. Little wonder that history shows that many highly successful entrepreneurs endured great suffering arising from lack of money.

Does Running Short of Cash Mean an Entrepreneur is Incompetent?

Not necessarily.

Most businesses at some point or the other find they need cash infusion of some sort. Some may not need it at the start. But maybe due to rapid growth of demand, they might discover later on that they lack financial capacity to continue.

At that point, they’ll have to seek funding from outside sources.

For the solo entrepreneur, it often just happens. When you’re on your own, finding cash to meet all your business needs may not always be straight forward. Especially when your business is not yet fully established.

Unless you inherited wealth from a relative, or won the lottery, you’re likely to encounter shortage of funds every now and then.

But judging from results achieved by those who have passed that road, you need only take persistent intelligent action, with faith, to overcome it.

Is There a Way to Avoid Cash Shortages?

“No great enterprise will ever begin if all obstacles must first be overcome” – Napoleon Hill

As long as it does not occur because you mismanaged the little you have, I’d say no. Short of cutting corners anyway.

If my studies of the history of other entrepreneurs are anything to go by, it seems to be a necessary ingredient for success. In other words the repeated exposure to that potentially traumatizing experience is actually designed to teach us something.

Many highly successful entrepreneurs have attributed their success, in no small part, to the extreme cash shortages they had to endure and creatively overcome.

It made them think harder, and aim to maximize value they got for every unit of money they spent. They learnt to be frugal in their spending decisions. Without the lack of cash, the urge to do this, would most likely have been less.

“I have become thoroughly convinced that lack of money is just an excuse – and all the sage, expert advice about making certain your business is adequately capitalized is a bunch of hooey” – Dan Kennedy (Millionaire Entrepreneur/ Author of “How to succeed in Business by breaking all the rules”)

Tayo Solagbade’s note: For those of non-Americans who may not know what that strange word means, I checked the dictionary, and found that “hooey” is: “i.e. foolish talk or nonsense”…not surprisingly :-)) Get your copy of this book here.

Dan Kennedy pointed out that being adequately capitalized can actually be a curse. He added that having to struggle to find cash to make your business work will often be they key to your success. You simply need to mentally adjust yourself to it, instead of lamenting about it.

My Personal Experiences Confirm This

Yes. 31st December 2013 will make it 12 full years since I became an entrepreneur. During this time I have passed through countless heartbreaking struggles to achieve my entrepreneurial dream. That dream was hatched over 3 years before I quit my high paying job with Guinness Nigeria.

Looking back, I can tell you that my greatest periods of personal growth, and development, were those trying times when I ran out of cash, and/or had limited funds to work with.

The thing is that experience (of shortage of cash) is rarely ever one-off.

It goes away, and comes back again – the frequency seeming to differ for each person. Like Napoleon Hill said, it appears certain unseen forces use such unpleasant experiences to teach us lessons we badly need to learn.

Such periods of intense anxiety and suffering, caused by perpetual cash shortages, taught me to look inwards and seek low to zero cost ways to do anything. Before I decide to spend money, I make sure I exhaust possible alternative options to get it done without spending, or at a lower price.(And I help my clients to do this too – using custom Excel software I build for them).

This habit is deeply ingrained in me, because I have had times when I lamented spending in situations that I could have gotten something done free.

It’s why I’m taking my time in setting up my home based brew-pub products (e.g. my low cost pineapple peel based drinks and cakes – baked without oven).

Those who do not understand what this is about, have never experienced prolonged periods of lack of cash as severe as that described here.

Such an experience teaches you to treat money with respect!

“I lacked capital. Because of this I was forced to keep down overhead and watch every expenditure…In fact, I feel if I had had all the money I wanted when I founded my present business, it never would have become as big as it is. I would never have found it necessary to make such a close study of details to promote the efficiency of the organization.” – Harvey Firestone

Related Article

1. What Happens If/When You Run Out of Cash?

2. Is Your Self-Confidence Directly Proportional to the Size of Your Bank Account?

My DN Travel News, Public Speaking, Self-Development

No. 119: How to Achieve Success in Any Field (True Story)

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This true story demonstrates how FAITH, persistently applied, can help you succeed in any field – including Writing, and Public Speaking. I share it not to brag, but to (hopefully) inspire others to do what I’ve done, or even better.

“Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith – the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible.” – Sir William Osler, British Medical Journal, 1910

On Wednesday 4th December 2013, my entrepreneurial career as a Performance Improvement Specialist, with a bias for Best Practice Farm Business Support, moved to a new – and international – level.

Click here to download the print-ready PDF ebook version and read OFFLINE…

Click here to download the print-ready PDF ebook version and read OFFLINE...

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Click now to view the latest issue of Tayo Solagbade's Public Speaking IDEAS page

Publication: Weekly Public Speaking IDEAS Newsletter

Date: Monday 9th December 2013

No:119

Title: How to Achieve Success in Any Field (True Story)

Author & Publisher: Tayo K. Solagbade [Tel: +234-803-302-1263 (in Nigeria) or +229-66-122-136 (in Benin Republic) ]

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

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

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

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NB: This newsletter is published every Monday. Point your browser to www.tayosolagbade.com/sdnuggets to read at least ONE new post added to my SD Nuggets blog on a different category from Tuesday till Saturday (sometimes even Sundays) in line with this publishing schedule :-)

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No. 119: How to Achieve Success in Any Field (True Story)

This true story demonstrates how FAITH, persistently applied, can help you succeed in any field – including Writing, and Public Speaking. I share it not to brag, but to (hopefully) inspire others to do what I’ve done, or even better.

“Nothing in life is more wonderful than faith – the one great moving force which we can neither weigh in the balance nor test in the crucible.” – Sir William Osler, British Medical Journal, 1910

On Wednesday 4th December 2013, my entrepreneurial career as a Performance Improvement Specialist, with a bias for Best Practice Farm Business Support, moved to a new – and international – level.

That day, I received email confirmation that my 4,000 word case study paper (advocating the use of low cost customizable Excel-VB driven software, for feed formulation by farmers) had been accepted by the international organization that commissioned me to write it.

Since 3rd October 2013 (over 2 months ago, when I announced it in issue 111 of my newsletter) until 3rd December 2013 (i.e. just few days ago), I worked many MANY MANY long hours writing that paper.

The process required traveling to Nigeria for 2 weeks to conduct questionnaire surveys with Farm CEOs.

All the while, I kept doing ALL my other work – including responding to prospects and client requests, and of course publishing at least ONE new article on my blog daily.

On Saturday 16th November 2013, I worked 13 straight hours (from 9a.m to about 10.30p.m) to finish the paper.

I then emailed it to my friend and co-author, Professor Idowu Oladele, who is Director of the School of Agricultural Sciences at South Africa’s North West University.

The final submission deadline was Sunday17th November 2013.

Over a period of about 2 hours the next morning (Sunday), we discussed and agreed modifications – on phone – mainly the arrangement.  Later that day, he submitted the paper via email.

On Thursday 28th November, we got an email requesting changes. And it had to be re-submitted latest by Tuesday 3rd December 2013.

The problem? One reviewer summed it up by saying the paper was…“unreadable” due to the “chaotic organisation” of its contents.

Oops..:-)))

But it was a good sign. The paper had NOT been rejected.

Instead they wanted the content presented in a more “friendly” manner for easy comprehension, and even suggested an outline for the entire paper.

That inspired me!

I studied the reviewer’s comments further, and realized the need to not just rearrange the paper’s contents into the new structure, but to re-write it with a smarter focus.

And so, for the next 4 days I worked round the clock completely re-writing the paper in more detail, to fit into the section titles and sub-titles requested.

I recall some people making snide remarks to my face (others behind my back…but I got to hear through the grapevine…LOL) that “all that writing was a waste of time”.

Hmm…how shortsighted some people can be. Much earlier, when I’d announced in an article, that my proposal had been accepted, some said I was counting my eggs before they were hatched.

“Why not wait till the paper gets accepted before you say anything to anyone?” they queried.

They did not understand what it meant to have “absolute and unquestioning faith”.

They now (hopefully) know better: the paper has indeed been accepted!

Today, all the work I put in, has been shown to be worth it. The paper has been accepted.

But no one EVER does it alone!

No one. Not even Superman.

At some point we’ll all need help, no matter how strong or brilliant we are.

I’ve gotten lots of help over the years, especially from my wonderful family  members, and a few great friends.

I continue to thank them all.

And I also thank YOU, my dear readers (including Farm Business CEOs who helped complete my questionnaire), for supporting me through your interest in my work :-))

Now, You May Wonder: Just How Does All This Relate to Public Speaking?

I’ll tell you.

Over ten years ago, I read Burt Dubin’s article titled “Why and How to Get Published” for the first time. It opened my eyes to the multi-faceted rewards that writing as an expert can yield.

And I do mean MULTI-FACETED!

Since 2001, I’ve diligently applied the tips in Burt’s article, adapting them to suit my unique market.

Today, not only does my writing earn me direct income in a variety of ways, it has also gotten me massive marketing exposure. What’s more, I’ve successfully used it to build powerful name recognition.

Burt noted that if opportunities in conventional media are slow in coming, you can self-publish.

I took that to heart and started writing articles on my website. Later I began article marketing via Ezinearticles.com. Then I began self-publishing my books using Print-On-Demand publishing.

I knew that if I did it right, the opportunity to get published in more formal circles would eventually come.

The signs began to appear some years back. For instance, in 2009, a university in India wrote me for permission to use my 10 item Employee Morale Gauge™ quiz article in their journal (see item 14 on sales page for journal titled “Employee Morale: Concepts And Cases”).

Later on in 2010, I discovered some college term papers published online on the subject of Emotional Intelligence, quoted from my article on Emotional Intelligence(Screen shot below was taken on 9th Dec. 2013 at 11.20a.m)

Later on I discovered some college term papers published online on the subject of Emotional Intelligence, quoted from my article on Emotional Intelligence.

On a few occasions I ran into my article on Habitual Peak Performance translated into other languages (e.g. French etc).

More recently, I saw in Google, that a UK company had created a PDF version of my Employee Moral Gauge Quiz, and made it available for download by clients from its website. There’s an introduction in it, which explains why and how to use the quiz…and also credits me as the author of the instrument (Screen shot below was taken on 9th Dec. 2013 at 11.32a.m)

More recently, I saw in Google, that a UK company had created a PDF version of my Employee Moral Guage Quiz, and made it available for download by clients from its website. (Screenshot taken on 9th Dec. 2013 at 11.32a.m)

As you can see from all the above, Burt Dubin really knows his stuff.

And hundreds of successful highly paid experts-who-speak, mentored by him for well over 2 decades agree on this!

My Published International Agribusiness Case Study Paper Will Open Doors of Speaking Opportunities

By getting published internationally in a medium serving my target audience (extension specialists, policy makers in agriculture and farm business owners), my credibility as an expert-speaker in agribusiness is bound to get a boost.

Meeting planners are more likely to consider me a credible “expert-speaker” to address their members.

I’ll have to do the leg work of course. But the published paper will make it easier ;-))

Guess what? The above benefits, are just a few of those Burt Dubin promised you’ll get, if you apply the ideas in his earlier mentioned article!

Screenshot of Burt Dubin's article titled 'Why and How to Get Published'

NB: By the way, note – in the above screen shot – that Burt started by saying: “Why get your words and ideas published?”

So don’t forget to publish your ideas too!e

I do that all the time.

My most recent ideas have to do with my new Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…which I baked without an oven!

[They don’t look so aestetically pleasing. This was my very first try, and I improvised A LOT…including baking with NO oven. Read more here!}

My New Product: Pineapple Peels Based Cakes...These Ones Baked Without an Oven!

Then there’s the new bottle I found for my pineapple peel based drink – which now enables me pasteurize the drink:

[NB: These are 2 different views of the fermented version of my drink – based on a new recipe.]

The drinks you see in this photo, have been pasteurized using a home-based method I learnt online.

…and of course I have my plan to open hopefully in a couple of weeks – here in Benin Republic – a home based farm-products brew-pub, to sell my drinks and cakes from.

Read my article titled ‘When You’re Not Working, Create a Bigger Dream (Hint: New Product – My Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…Made Without an Oven!) | SD Nuggets™‘ for FULL details:-))

Final Words: Absolute and Unquestioning Faith Will Get You ANYWHERE You Want to Go – Including Public Speaking Heaven!

Here’s one truth many people seem not to know (or care to remember):

“All human beings, regardless of religious inclination, are capable of applying faith and reaping the rewards from doing so. It is NOT, and will NEVER be, the exclusive preserve of any group of people, be they religious or otherwise.” – Tayo K. Solagbade

This means, dear expert-who-speaks that you, and I, are truly capable of achieving miraculous things, if we can only have true faith!

I therefore hope my example will help YOU realize that hard work, honesty and BLIND FAITH, which recognizes NO FAILURE will bring you success.

PS: By the way, did you click to read Burt Dubin’s article yet?

If not click “Why and How to Get Published” now. That article contains tested ideas for getting everything I’ve said above to work for YOU!

Have a lovely week!

Tayo K. Solagbade*

Self-Development/Performance Improvement Specialist

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

Mobile: +234-803-302-1263 (in Nigeria) or +229-66-122-136 (in Benin Republic)

http://www.tayosolagbade.com

Self-Development/Performance Enhancement Specialist – Tayo Solagbade – works as a multipreneurial freelance writer providing  zero risk article and report writing support for website owners, while travelling slowly across West Africa as a Location Independent Multipreneur.

He’s presently based in Benin Republic, where he’s preparing an English-French Language Guide, City Travel Guides, and a Commercial Rabbit Farming Guide.

In a previous life, before leaving to become self-employed, Tayo served for seven years as a high performing manager in Guinness Nigeria. He rose from Shift Brewer, to Training & Technical Development Manager, then later acted in senior management roles as Production Manager and Technical Manager.

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

For a limited time, Tayo is available to speak to your group or organization for a moderate fee. Send e-mail to tayo at tksola dot com. You can also visit www.tksola.com to learn more.

Connect with him on Twitter @tksola.com and Facebook.

==================

View Tayo Solagbade's video tutorials and demonstrations on Facebook Productivity Tips, Web Marketing, and for his Custom MS Excel-VB driven software applicationsJoin the SD Nuggets community on Facebook.comConnect with Tayo on Twitter.comConnect with Tayo on Google Plus

Useful Resources for Speakers

Burt Dubin works with people who want to be speakers, and with speakers who want to be masters.

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

Get Burt’s mentoring :

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Burt’s Flagship Album

This is the product to own if you can own only one. Why? Because in it you discover principles of platform mastership available to you nowhere else at any price.

You hear performance strategies you can emulate. You shorten your learning curve. You see ways to engage and delight audiences with both content and stories . . . plus you experience a bit of fun.

With its Money back if not delighted Guarantee hardly any are returned.

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Presentation Magic - Speaking Business Success

Presentation Magic

A live example, including a complete audio recording of a program Burt created from scratch–on a topic he knew nothing about and never, ever presented before! See how you, guided by your personal Learning Guide, (Presentation Magic), can do this too and thrill audiences as often as you want.

Presentation Magic Manual with new pages added plus 3 audio CDs.

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ProgramManual

How To Create a Great Program Manual

Discover how you can produce a precious memento of you and your program. Capture over 44 model pages you can easily adapt for your use. Engage proven principles that add value to the experience of sitting at your feet and learning from you.

This is a reprise of the historic presentation that launched the Speaking Success System.

No copy of this 2 CD program and 50 page Learning Guide has ever been returned.

more information

 

Smart Exercising Will Keep You Fit, Healthy and Alive - Click to read

 

Using MS Excel® Solver for Least Cost Feed Formulation Can Be Easy - But Also Dangerous (How to Protect Yourself) - Click to downloadDownload above PDF

NEW PDF - 10 Frequently Asked Questions About Feed FormulationDownload above PDF

THEY WROTE…

“(Tayo Solagbade) is amazing and I think he is going to produce some impressive results online…” – click here to read full comment by Patrick Meninga (US based 6 figure income blogger who gained fame for building a $2,000 per month adsense website and selling it for $200,000).

—————————–

“Tayo, I honestly believe you are one of those who will succeed at anything he does. Your commitment and effort has been outstanding….Thanks for all your hard work since I’ve been here – you will be sorely missed. I don’t need to wish you good luck, you have the ability to make your own luck. – Andy”(R. Jones)*

*Operations Manager, Guinness Nigeria Plc Benin Brewery, December 2001 (Handwritten comments in farewell/xmas cards sent to Tayo Solagbade following his resignation to start his own business).

———————–

“From:”Obadiaru, Osawemwenze” <email address deleted >

To:”Tayo Solagbade” <email address deleted >

Subject: Greetings from Benin!!!!

Date: Mon, 8 Apr 2002 14:27:30 +0100

Uncle (Tayo),

Greetings to you from your boy. How are you doing?…All
is well here in Benin and everybody is really been bugged again by this ISO audit thing.

All the same you have set a standard, that nobody will dare to go below. I really miss
you sir, your words of encouragement, your pressures, your drive, your humor and
every thing about you. But in consolation, I try so hard to follow your footsteps, which
I have been doing little by little, and I am sometimes amazed at the things I do.

…I look
up to you, and really desire to someday dedicate a major success in my life to you, for
the little while I spent with you has been a turning point in my life. I will always be

grateful to you.

Keep the flag flying sir. Regards

Osas

———————–

“To Mr. Tayo Solagbade.

I appreciate all your effort. It is through you I knew the difference between Schooling and Education and its also through you that I knew that mathematics as a subject can be answered in many ways. I am very grateful.” – Ifeanyi Okeke, SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

—————————-

“To Mr Tayo Solagbade…you made me understand what the world speaks.” – Adepoju Samson, SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

—————————–

“Mr Tayo Solagbade…he has educated me so that he had touched that thing in me that motivates me.” – , SS3 Student, Volunteer Corps (VC) Tutoring Project: Handwritten Comment in memoirs section of VC Year Book published in 2003.

“The speaker, Mr Solagbade, is an authority in his field. (He is) an achiever who is able to carry his audience along with him in his message/speech” – Baker A.T, Confidential Secretary, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“There’s a lot more to learn (experience wise) from the speaker(Tayo Solagbade)…Honestly, he gave so much within a short time. I learnt a lot without writing much. It’s amazing!” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“Your (talk) encourages people not to depend on sycophancy to achieve their aims. People are also encouraged to leave the level of mediocrity. One needs to look inwards and make use of one’s potentials to reach the greatest heights. I hope this
is not the last session we will be having with you” – Ezemba C.I (Miss), Teacher, Corona Schools

————–

“The (talk) is very (useful for) those who want to up-grade themselves. The older generation who think they have come to the end of their career would find it very very useful to rejuvenate their attitude, interest and empower themselves to greater goals.” – E.C. Sarsal, Corona Schools

————–

“The Ten Ways for Self-Development would go a long way (in) improving teaching/learning situation(s).” – Cynthia Nwosu (Mrs.), Corona Schools

————–

“It was an interesting (talk), and the speaker spoke well, with a lot of experiences that (were) so educative.” – Emmanuel (Mrs.), Corona Primary School Victoria Island

————–

“Mr Tayo Solagbade is a very good motivator. I really appreciated him but the time was short.” – S.E. Atkins, Corona Schools

————–

“(The talk was) ‘very useful’ (and the speaker was) ‘excellent’…Good insight for the much needed Human Revolution to drive creativity in this nation.” – Oma Williams, Director, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“A very worthwhile exercise. The package can however be improved by making it organisation specific.” – C. I. Okeke, AD/Research Consulting, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“The speaker, to me, is quite an inspiration to the young generation” – Nwaokokoh Eddy Azuka, Confidential Secretary, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“This is a celebration of Change Management, quite an appropriate and timely presentation at CMD to Stimulate Change.” – Binuyo, Francis A. (Mr.), MDO I, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village, Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“Well this is my first seminar and I think I have gained a lot…I am on NAPEP attachment to the centre for a while, but generally speaking I think you are good and can go even above the sky. I wish I could get in touch with you for more lectures (on) Self-Development, as regards Career Development or probably Personal Development.” – Sanwo Pamela A., Unemployed Graduate, Centre for Management Development(CMD), Management Village,Shangisha, Lagos.

————–

“The presentation content and style was nice.” – Adjekophori Peter, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The training course and approach used was a good and kind of unique one, – talking about the mind map.” – Odunlami Olaitan. O. Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The practical real life experiences (made) the seminar more realistic…The seminar fuels my heart to develop myself the more.” – Kemi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The training was a new dimension to the act of personal effectiveness, was less of theory but of tested and proven principles. Keep it up!“- Oluwakemi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“This is an academy that will go a long way in helping to develop the youths of this country. Keep up the good work.” – Alake Oluwayemisi, Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“(Tayo Solagbade) is a very good speaker who was able to communicate his (ideas) effectively without boring me and wasting no time. Within the short time he spent, he gave loaded and relevant information/(ideas) which were superb.” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The presenter was superb. He dealt with the topic extensively, citing real life experiences that (were) personal to him.” – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“The facilitator (Tayo Solagbade) has done so well, and he has made me to feel that the sky is not my limit but the start, if I can apply all the personal effectiveness principles appropriately.” – Onifade Olajide, – Management Trainee, Tantalisers (Fast Foods Restaurant), Festac Headquarters, Lagos.

————–

“I was very impressed with the speaker (Tayo Solagbade), his integrity, method of delivery and what he had to say. This should not stop here. I personally need access to those books and if pointed in that direction will be happy. Also, I will be happy if (I can be shown) ways to apply oneself to the concept of Self Development as regards my job as a teacher, that will help me to be a better time manager.” – Teacher, Corona Primary School, Ikoyi, Lagos.

————–

“I am really impressed and I think I have to wake up.” – Teacher, Corona School Branch

————–

“It has been a very useful session which can make people or employees wake up from lethargy. It is a wake-up call for continual hope and rejuvenation for speed to higher ground to life aspiration.” – Teacher, Corona School Branch

————–

“I observed that you are a real model of a saying that when a child washes his/her hands well he/she will eat on the same table with a king.” – School Nurse, Corona School Branch

————–

“I have observed that you are sacrificing your time to help mankind explore new grounds and live a happier life. More grease to your elbows.” – Eke N. (Mrs), Corona School Branch

————–

“This talk/seminar is very good and realistic. Someone who wants to be an achiever should adopt and practice these ten ways.” – M. O. Ihonor – Head Teacher, Corona School Branch

————–

“…The Ten Ways on Self-Development inspire me to the marrow, and henceforth are going to be (the) guiding ideologies, principles and work concepts in my life.” – Oduye Olumuyiwa, Corona School

————–

“(The talk) is an eye opener and very important tool that can be used to become great. I think I buy your ideas too. Thanks a lot.” – Mrs. Atere F.O. – Secretary, Corona School

————–

“The general comment I will like to make is that I can call this seminar a vision seminar. So my comment is that you can make this vision a wider vision by having a complete textbook on it.” – Assistant Teacher, Corona School
Click here to contact Tayo… 

SD Nuggets Blog™

 New posts from last week that may interest you! *
Public Speaking[Monday]:
No. 118: Speak to Impact, and Your Audience Will Be Impressed

Entrepreneurship [Tuesday]:
Achieve Superior Success by Letting Your Work Speak for You
Self-Development [Wednesday]:
Being Ruthlessly Focused Does NOT Make You Callous!

Career Development [Thursday]:
Fun Strategy for Quickly Improving Language Skills
Parenting [Friday]:
Are Your Kids Ready to Succeed in Your World?

Writing/Blogging [Saturday]:

When You’re Not Working, Create a Bigger Dream (Hint: New Product – My Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…Made Without an Oven!)
Want me to write for you? Click here…

 

 

 

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, My Ideas for Making Nigeria Better, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

When You’re Not Working, Create a Bigger Dream (Hint: New Product – My Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…Made Without an Oven!)

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When I’m not hammering away at my laptop keyboard, writing articles, reports and books…or building custom Excel-VB software, I’m likely to be found sleeping, or working to progress further towards my ultimate dream.

That dream is to own what I call a Home-Based Farm-Products-Brew-Pub.

And I’ve nursed it since 1999, when I still worked in Guinness Nigeria.

If you’ve been reading my blog, you know about my Pineapple peel based drink(see photos, and a free talk offer) . Read more about it here(i.e. a presentation).

The drinks you see in the photo below, have been pasteurized using a home-based method I learnt online.

[NB: These are 2 different views of the fermented version of my drink – based on a new recipe.]

The drinks you see in this photo, have been pasteurized using a home-based method I learnt online.

You see, I believe PATIENCE is key, in developing food based products.

It’s taken me about 3 months of searching. But I’ve found what I consider the perfect bottle for my Pineapple based drink (see above photo).

Apart from enabling me deliver the kind of product volume I want, it also has a cap that allows me pasteurize the drink inside.

It was important for me to ensure I could do that, so bottles don’t go exploding in people’s faces.

That was why I patiently kept searching for a cost-effective way, that would enable me keep the product affordable for most people.

My New Product: Pineapple Peels Based Cakes…These Ones Baked Without an Oven!

I’ve never baked anything in my life. Not cake or bread. Nothing.

My New Product: Pineapple Peels Based Cakes...These Ones Baked Without an Oven!

But the idea of my brew-pub having its own unique food product, to go with the drink had tickled my fancy for months.

A few days ago, I decided to play around with cake and bread baking. I went online and did lots of reading, and watched many videos.

Then yesterday, I purchased baking materials from Tokpa market, and stayed indoors ALL day, using my beloved Pineapple peels, to bake home-made cakes (I’ll get around to bread baking later).

BUT, I did it all, without using an oven!

Yes. No oven. Don’t believe me? Just wait. I’ll be writing a special PDF report on that before the year runs out.

I know the cakes don’t look so aestetically pleasing, but you must understand that this was my very first try. And believe me when I say I improvised A LOT!

The most important point to note is that what I’ve done, shows I can operate this business even from a village, using locally available materials!

In the meantime, now that my trials with different processes have succeeded (the cakes taste delicious, and are almost 50% cheaper to make!), I intend to use proper equipment to offer the drinks and cakes for sale from my brew-pub.

Virtually 100% of the pineapple peels I use do NOT go to waste!

That’s true. They end up in the drinks and cake – implying massive cost-saving production potential!

But I don’t just put the peels into the products.

To get the right flavour and appearance, I have found certain processing steps need to be taken. And all are cost-effective.

I was in Calavi this afternoon, to drop off a drink bottle, with 2 cup cakes, for my friend Moumouni Toure.

He was not in, so I left them with his brother. And I also gave out some to my neighbours where I live.

But I made it clear that I will not be selling them for now.

Nope. Responding to individual orders at this stage would not be worth my time/effort and I would be unable to cope. Even worse, it would definitely affect my ability to do my other work.

When the pub opens, anyone who wants them can come over. For now, that’s what’s likely to work best for me.

With time, I’ll decide what flavours, packaging and operating procedure will be most profitable to adopt.

NB: One probable exception would be people willing to place bulk orders. I could possibly make out time to fulfill such.

For now, the next step is to get the laboratory analysis of the drinks – and cakes – done

This is so I can tell people – with confidence – what exactly they’re eating or drinking.

I’m an internationally certified brewer, with 7 years of experience working in a globally recognised brewing multinational.

Everything I do, no matter how small my plan for this project is, must reflect that.

Suffice to say, for now, that pineapple peels being the base ingredient, contains considerable amounts of useful nutrients.

Some are described in my report titled “10 Fruits You Eat That Leave Useful Peels/Skins Behind” (Click to download it).

In the next few weeks, I intend to secure bigger living quarters, with the front end functioning as the brew-pub, here in Benin Republic.

I should add that this will be a FULL family business.

Like I noted in yesterday’s article on my blog my kids already make a version of this drink, that they sell in their school in Lagos.

So when they join me here, they’ll fit in instantly.

That’s why I told my friend Moumouni, in an SMS today, that with improvements I’ve now made, this business is DESTINED TO MAKE MY KIDS RICH!

And when (NOT IF) that happens, I – along with my wonderful wife Nkechi – will be the PROUDEST parents in the world!!

Career Development, My DN Travel News, Self-Development

Fun Strategy for Quickly Improving Language Skills

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Learning a foreign (or new) language is not easy. I share a strategy developed from my obsession with improving my proficiency in French. It’s so simple, yet effective, that you’ll wonder why you never thought of it before! Career persons in paid employment, with interest in language learning, will find this strategy useful.

What Is This Strategy?

It’s the habit of deliberately watching movies subtitled in the language you want to learn.

But you must choose, as often as possible, movies you have already watched in a language you know.

If you do it right, you will dramatically boost your comprehension, spoken fluency and vocabulary!

Watching Movies Subtitled in French, Can Help You Learn to Speak Faster & Better

By better I mean you be able to speak it so well that competent others assume you’re a native speaker!

I touched on this in my Proven 5 Step Formula for Learning ANY Language In 3 Months or Less.

Since 1999 I’ve been obsessed with the French language. Over the years I noticed a trend.

Whenever native French speakers talked to me, I struggled to comprehend. But with Francophone Africans (e.g Beninese or Camerounian friends or acquaintances), I readily understood what they said.

When I speak to Francophone Africans, my English accent sometimes get in the way too!

I once wanted to buy a small bottle of medical alcohol. Instead of saying “alcool” (pronounced “ahl-call), I pronounced it “al-co-hol” – with the “h” sound very audible, as in English.

It took my explaining many uses of the item, before the lady understood. She then pointedly told me I’d pronounced it wrongly!

This is Why Some Foreign English Drama Series/Comedies Don’t “Click” With Nigerians

In the same way, a full blooded Briton, visiting Nigeria for the first time, might struggle to understand people speaking English with a local accent (e.g Ijebu, Egba, or Efik etc).

Seven years working with English, Welsh,Irish and Scottish expatriates, while employed in Guinness Nigeria, opened my eyes to this reality.

I found deliberately watching British/American movies helped me better comprehend what they said. Especially getting used to their speed. Over time I learnt to make myself better understood by them.

This inability to comprehend the speech/conversational mannerisims, of British and American speakers, is why some high profile sitcom/drama series from those parts, don’t “click” with Nigerians.

Moumouni Toure, a friend in Calavi, works with a boss who is from France, but runs a chain of mobile phone shops in Benin. Each time I’ve had to converse with the boss, it’s been hard making out his words. And vice versa. Most times we have to take turns explaining ourselves in the other person’s preferred language to ensure s/he fully comprehends what they other is sayng!

Moumouni on the other had does not suffer the same handicap – for obious reasons. You see, he speaks and understands both languages reasonably well.

By Watching Movies Subtitled in French, You’ll Pick Up Useful Words, and Expressions for Everyday Conversation

Whenever I want to take a break from my crazily choked work schedule, I don’t just laze around.

Usually I get myself a big bowl of Cassava flour (known locally as Gari), to which I add sugar and plenty of groundnuts. Then I sit back and watch (on my laptop) movies subtitled in French.

Like I said earlier, I choose those I’ve watched in English before. And usually, I’m familiar with many of the lines. So, it’s always a thrill to be able to hear those same lines said in French.

More importantly, you pick up some useful smart phrases you can easily put to use.

One example: Ils ont disparu (They disappeared).

Another: Ne bouge pas! (Don’t move!)

It Can Help You Continue Improving Even Without Formal Textbooks or Lessons!

Dale Carnegie noted that learning a foreign language, is similar to learning public speaking: you don’t make progressive improvements.

Quite often, your progress will come in fits and starts. There will be times when you’ll arrive at a “plateau”, where you don’t  seem to be improving.

Then you’ll have a sudded growth spurt, and wonder at how you manage to progress so much.

The key is to NEVER stop working to improve – even during the “plateau” phase.

Especially then!

If you stop, you’ll end up retrogressing.

One good way I’ve found is to leave textbooks aside, and watch people making real-life conversation. I encounter useful words and expressions, said by a native (not Francophone) French speaker.

Final Words: Try It and See!

This strategy really works – and it can be applied in other ways too.

For instance, some months back I gave out rating forms to tasters of my pineapple peel based drink. In explaning what I wanted, I said “Je voudrais demander votre point du vu” (“I would like to have your opinion”) …about the drink.

A friend exclaimed “Ah Tayo, your French is really improving!”

That expression was used by a radio presenter, some days earlier. I simply adapted it for my purposes.

You too can improve your language skills by doing a similar thing, with movies and TV/radio shows

And you’d be having fun at the same time!

NB: The above may not readily apply to Nigerian Nollywood (or African) movies subtitled in French.

My DN Travel News, Self-Development

Being Ruthlessly Focused Does NOT Make You Callous!

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[Hint: At 175 words per minute, which most adults can do, you’ll finish reading this article’s 500 words in less than 3 minutes. And you’ll be glad you did.]

People we celebrate for great achievements mostly started out believing alone in themselves.  We only begin to crowd around and chase after them, when they achieve fame by doing the exceptional…or “impossible”.

Many great achievers often endured rejection – and severe criticism (even mockery!) – from those closest to them. In order to keep going, some withdrew from their friends and relatives, to maintain the positive mind set they needed.

NB: This article was inspired by the quote below (which I believe applies not just to writers, but to creative people who achieve greatness in general).

Quote - "Writing is a solitary occupation; family,friends & society are the natural enemies of the writer. He must be alone, uninterupted,& slightly savage if he is to sustain & complete an undertaking." Jessamyn West.

It was posted by a Facebook friend – Wajeed – today, on his wall.

Sometimes an unacceptable condition from an employer caused them to go alone

Like one who wanted an employee to forget his “dream of inventing”, and accept a promotion, so as to work on “more important things“.

That, by the way, was exactly what made Henry Ford (after consulting his wife) decide to quit his job in Thomas Edison’s company, to pursue his dream of inventing a 6 cylinder engine.

Note that his decision implied losing a source of regular income, that could have supplied badly needed funds for his new venture. But Ford knew he could not afford to stay on, so he left.

In other instances, it was due to pressures from loved ones, sometimes spouses.

People s/he expected to understand, but who rolled their eyes each time s/he started talking.

They said “why don’t you do something useful” or “get a day job so you can fulfil your responsibilities!”

People who achieve greatness are typically intolerant of such distractions.

Creative persons (inventor, writer etc), know doing mundane tasks will not be the best use of their “potentials”.

They may do them – but never at the expense of their dreams!

That’s why they readily take drastic measures to eliminate distractions (including moving out, even if to live under harsh conditions), if they find it necessary.

Napoleon Hill noted that many high level achievers he studied got accused of being “callous”, by close associates, because they did the above.

He however pointed out that what critics (wrongly) called “callousness” was in fact “RUTHLESS FOCUS” which enabled those persons “super-succeed”!

In truth, always doing what “normal” people want, cannot help you achieve EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS.

For instance, there is (or was) nothing “normal” about Michael Jordan (or Michael Jackson).

Records abound that confirm those two men persistently subjected themselves to PUNISHING rehearsals, for consecutive weeks, while others were in bed.

They gave no close associate, or loved one, any room to make them break their routines.

No wonder they always delivered seemingly superhuman performances when it mattered most!

But not every body is prepared to “do that”. This explains why VERY few people achieve at such levels.

Question: Are you prepared to “do that” – or more – to achieve phenomenal success?

Would you continue even if it means staying alone, for prolonged periods?

If your honest answer is YES, mark my words:  YOU ARE DESTINED FOR EXCEPTIONAL GREATNESS!

My DN Travel News, Parenting, Self-Development

The Key to Identifying People Worthy of Support

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“I have long taught: if you can’t make money without money, you won’t make money with money either. And if you’re going to back somebody, pick an entrepreneur who has proven that he can survive without adequate capital” – Dan Kennedy (Millionaire Entrepreneur/Author of “How to succeed in Business by breaking all the rules”)

Do you have a passion for helping others? This is always a commendable thing to do. And it feels great when those we help go on to succeed. For that to happen, you must choose to support those most willing to use what you give them. (Hint: This article offers ideas you can teach your kids, so they KNOW how to attract unsolicited support, to achieve their valued goals in life!)

Helping People Unwilling to Take Personal Action Rarely Works

“It had long since come to my attention that people of accomplishment rarely sat back and let things happen to them. They went out and happened to things.” – Eleanor Smith

Make the best use of what you have. Give committed and competent people your priority attention.

Why? Because when they are likely to make the most productive use of what you give them. And that is likely to benefit not just them, but others as well!

Consider this analogy:

a. John finished the same year, from the same university as Tayo, your nephew.

After a year of fruitless job searching, he started a car wash business alone, and 2 years on, has one employee.

He proposes having a strategic partnership with your company. The offer is to wash your fleet for a discount in exchange for putting his promotional stickers on your cars.

But he needs N50k to get better equipment, and more hands to cope with demand he expects to get.

b. Tayo – is your nephew – and lives with you.

He complains you’re too hard on him whenever you challenge him to start something of his own, since he’s also been unable to get a job.

A day before John came to see you, Tayo had asked you to give him N50k to start a business centre. He even had a business plan written out.

You were relieved that he seemed to be making an effort.

However, you recall that when you’ve given him money in the past, nothing came of it. Many times he even told you stories that did not add up. You wonder if this time will be different.

Question: Which of these 2 young men would you help, if all you had was N30k?

My answer: John would get my vote, even if my relatives scream to high heavens.

That’s not to say I’ll write off my nephew. No.

I’ll challenge him to convince me he’s serious, using John’s example to show what I mean.

But even John won’t get the money easily.

I’ll make him jump a few hurdles, to ascertain he knows what he’s doing, and will be committed.

Below, I share a real life example of how I introduce hurdles to assure myself a person is worth “helping”.

Identifying a Person Worthy of Support: A Real-Life Example

I offer a support service for authors (in Africa especially) who want to use Print On Demand publishing the way I do.

Many naturally get interested, when they learn their new book can be put online for purchase in physical form by buyers worldwide at zero cost.

So they contact me.

Most times, I simply supply links to articles I’ve written for them to read.

Sometimes I even give a FREE copy of my PDF report, on “Marketing Your Book at Zero Cost” to them. (Need it? E-mail me via tayo at tksola dot com)

Many return to ask for more information that’s ALREADY in the articles and report I asked them to read!

Why they find it so hard to read beats me. How can you be a competent writer if reading is such a chore for you??

Anyway, I’ve learnt to overlook that and instead make a conditional offer…

I Offer a Free 15 Minute Phone Consultation

But I deliberately introduce a hurdle, to help me decide if that individual is serious enough to get access to the offer.

So I send him/her an email message like the one below:

====Starts===

Hi (name),

During our phone chat, I will ask you certain questions and give you certain steps to follow.

You have some things to learn – and you are unlikely to get good results if you rush the process.

When (name of a past client), the CEO of an engineering company in Warri spoke with me for 1 hour on how to use web marketing, he paid N10K in advance to get my commitment to speak with him.

I’m offering you the opportunity to get some of what I said to him at no cost.

Just load credit on your phone and call me on +229-66-122-136.

Plan to be on for at least 15 minutes so we can cover the key areas.

After that you can decide how to progress.

===E-mail ends====

If s/he does what I ask in the email, I take it as a sign that s/he is worthy of further support.

Otherwise, I simply let the interaction end there.

Guess what?

99% of the time, they never make that 15 minute call!

What small thinking some people have. If your dreams really matter to you, borrow money to make that call!

If you can’t do that, why should I believe in YOU?

Final Words: And That’s How to Identify People Worthy of Your Support

It’s by testing them to see if they will go out on a limb, to achieve the goal they claim to want.

People worthy of support will readily make the personal sacrifice of time, effort, and money, to progress towards their goal.

Over the past 10 years, I have gotten others to GLADLY support me in achieving my goals, by proving myself worthy, in the manner I describe above.

That’s why I know it works!

My DN Travel News, My Ideas for Making Nigeria Better, Self-Development

Always Wish Others Well. You’ll Succeed Better! (Incl. Lesson from an Amazing Russian Video)

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What are your thoughts towards your colleague in the office? That cocky rich guy who lives next door? Your cash strapped relative’s child living with you? What about your younger brother who happens to be doing better than everyone else – including you? Do you honestly wish them well?

What Happens Among Relatives?

Maybe you have a great job, or successful business that enables you send your kids to good schools.

Some people have relatives struggling to send their kids to school. In some cases, such relatives send the children to live with the more successful brother, sister, uncle or aunt.

Imagine the relative’s child begins to show promise in academics, sports or some other useful vocation, and an organisation indicates interest in awarding him/her a scholarship or grant.

They naturally send the child with their offer letter to the guardian – the more successful relative – with whom the child lives. Maybe there’s a deadline for the paper to be returned with approval signature.

However, for some strange reason, the paper never gets back to the organisation!

The successful relative “forgets” to sign and return it until the submission deadline passes. As a result the child loses that opportunity. Similar events like that re-occur, until the child in frustration – if s/he can find the courage – tells his/her teachers in school, and/or calls the parents.

Those found guilty of repeatedly doing the above often vehemently deny that it was deliberate.

Yet, they never forgot (or forget!) to sign similar documents for their own kids!

Strange isn’t it?

Could it possibly be that some affluent relatives desire to keep others – and their offspring – perpetually under? Possibly so they and their kids can be remain “superior” in the family?

Big question. Difficult to answer.

If you’re wondering, the scenario I just painted above is based on a real life occurrence. No, let me rephrase that: REAL LIFE occurrences… that I have personal knowledge of!

What About in the Workplace – Amongst Colleagues, and Superiors?

Imagine hearing through the corporate grapevine, that a direct report of yours is close being elevated to the same management level as you.

Then a week later you receive a 360 degree feedback form you’re to fill on that person. And there’s a note stating that your rating of him/her will strongly influence the final decision, given your respected status in the company/

What would you do? Especially if this is someone you agree is very good on the job, but you personally are not very fond of, because he doesn’t “respect” you enough?

Knowing the process guarantees your anonymity, how objectively would you complete that form?

Would you give the guy a fair and impartial rating, wishing him, in your heart, the best?

Once again, the above painted scenario is based on real life events that I am aware occurred.

People who smile with you can still be mean to you, if they fear you will equal or surpass them!

It’s Time to Rediscover How to Care For Others

Ever walked past an old woman or young child apparently terrified of crossing the busy road by him/herself?

What about driving past someone struggling – at night – to fix a car tyre in a deserted area?

Important Note: I must state this here. My experiences as one born and raised in Nigeria, indicate con artists, (even robbers!) often setup fake incidents to attract sympathisers they can rob. As a result, many compassionate Nigerians generally avoid helping under such situations. Unless they’re really sure!

Having said that, many other opportunities exist to care for others – some mentioned in this article.

What Are YOUR Thoughts Towards Others? (My Suggestion)

Whoever you meet or relate with, always wish them the best – and do what you humanly can, to help them – no matter how far ahead of you they end up as a result.

Do it, and nurse only pure thoughts towards such persons at all times, and you will be amazed by how massive goodwill will be channelled to you by the creator.

This philosophy has guided my thoughts and actions for over 2 decades. I am convinced it is responsible for advancements I continue to experience in my personal and work life.

And that’s despite many attempts by mean spirited others to pull me down!

You see, the creator always supports – and rewards – those who do what I’m proposing you do.

Why?

That’s because he wants us to look out for one another. As his creations we do his will, when we act like Him. And He is NOT mean!

This Russian Video Says It All!

Click here to watch touching examples of people in a society where caring for others is highly valued!

Watching it brought me close to tears. If you watch it, I’m sure you’ll also be touched…and changed!

Entrepreneurship, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

How to Use Niches & Specialties to Boost Your Profits (Article & Infographic)

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I once got – in 2003 – a LONG email response to a proposal I submitted. It was from the CEO/founder, of a company regarded as one of Nigeria’s foremost brand marketing and advertising companies.

He politely declined interest in my proposal of a Strategic Partnership between my start-up Self-Development Academy, and his well established, highly respected company.

But that’s not why I’ve recalled our exchange.

Instead, it’s the comment he made towards the end of his email that I find worthy of mention.

It confirmed what I’d read, that even great minds won’t always see benefit in every good concept. But that’s only because they are human – not that they’re mean or any less smart. The problem is not all of them are willing to admit when they “cannot see, or do not know”.

Each of us, who has to relate with them, must therefore ensure we are well grounded in what we know.

This is to avoid letting them throw out our “idea babies”, with the bath water, presumably “for our own good”!

So what exactly did he say at the end of his email?

He noted that I “seemed to have my hands in many pies”, and wondered why I did not make things easy for myself by narrowing down to one. As he put it, doing so would boost my chances of making an impact faster, and more successfully. He then closed the paragraph with a rhetorical question:

“Or do you want to become another Henry Ford?”

I found that curious. What could be bad in becoming another Henry Ford?

Except for some trouble he got into in relation to racisim or so, nothing that man did is unworthy of emulation!

But there was no opportunity to further discuss the matter.

The CEO’s final words made it clear he expected me to decide whether to act on what he’d said, or not.

In my case, I felt – back then – exactly the way I still feel today.

What did I do?

I simply kept doing what I was doing. Have done so till this day. My multidisciplinary approach works for me.

In fact, I do better when I work this way. And I’m not alone.

What’s more, my achievements – including feedback and testimonials from others – confirm I’m right! However, back then many people around me made comments similar to his.

My seeming lack of “focus”, to them, meant I could not possibly be competent enough in one area to command reliable patronage.

But what exactly was it that I was doing then that bothered people so much you might ask?

Let me start by saying it’s been ten years since then, and I’m still doing EVERY single one of the things they all criticised back then.

Not just that – I have repeatedly done so quite successfully, with buyers paying handsomely too!

1. Custom Excel-Visual Basic driven Spreadsheet Software Development

2. Web Marketing Systems Development

3. Public Speaking/Training/Coaching

4. Information Publishing/Sales

5. Freelance Writing/Author Publishing Support Services

All Over the World, Things Have Changed, and Keep Changing

Over the years, economic realities have made more people, and business shift away from the narrow strategy of sticking to just one thing. Now, they actively explore profitable ways of providing interrelated products and services to various target audiences.

Take a look at MTN for instance. They are a telecommunications company. But over the years, they’ve found ways to integrate what they offer seamlessly with other business models. They do not make smart phones, but you can buy MTN branded phones on special sales, with a promotional service package attached to it.

To offer smart phones branded with their names, they did not have to open a phone making factory. They simply teamed up in a mutually beneficial arrangement with a phone maker to offer it.

Another thing MTN sells: Ring tones.

The company comes to some kind of agreement with musical artistes and then offers ring tones of their popular songs for download by customers on their network.

So, in addition to selling phones and airtime, they also make money selling ring tones and other digital products to the same customer base. Again, they’ve been in the talent hunting business in an industry they know has an active population of buyers.

Every season, a group of young people,with singing talents, are selected to participate in a reality show sponsored and organised by MTN i.e. Project Fame. The company spends money to make it happen every season.

A lot of money. But we all know the voting done by millions of viewers every day, gives them massive returns on their investment.

So the question could be asked: What exactly does MTN do – or what should it be doing…perhaps?

Are they into the telecoms business or they are also a phone maker and entertainment company?

Do those running the company need to be told to make up their minds what to focus on?

I doubt it. The ultimate determinant of where to “focus” effort is often “volume of profit margin gain” to be made.

And so far, dabbling into multiple markets seems to have paid off quite well for them!

And it’s not just them.

Many of today’s successful companies, who are able to competently navigate the waters of harsh economic times globally, behave the same way.

A good example outside Africa, is Richard Branson’s Virgin Group ,which has a myriad of product and services companies serving different target markets.

What won’t these companies stick to just ONE thing, like companies used to do in the past?

A quick answer: Many companies evolved this way over time as a survival strategy. The global economic crisis forced many companies to spread their offerings to include interrelated products and services.

But to do that successfully, ONE must understand two important concepts.

They are: Niches and Specialties.

Many people use them loosely. Only very few really have a sound understanding of what they really mean, and how to apply them to what they do.

Incidentally, I did not gain clarity about this subject by myself.

It took my reading the 27th May 2001 issue of Philip Humbert’s Weekly TIP(The Innovative Professional)’s Newsletter to get it right.

That’s right. I read it over 12 years ago, and I’ve kept the printout, in my files, for re-reading since then!

How to Use Niches & Specialties to Boost Your Profits (Infographic) - click to download now

Philip defined “a specialty as the particular skills or benefits you provide for your customers.” I like the word “benefits”.

I tell people my specialty is “Performance Improvement”. That’s the benefit I provide.

Willing and diligent clients become better at doing what they do, as a result of my intervention.

But my specialty – according to Philip – will NOT say anything about the “market niche” I can serve.

Niches are “the people who buy from me” – that’s how Philip said a client of his put it.

And I really liked the clear language used there!

If we now put it all together:

My specialty refers to what I do, or provide, or help others achieve.

In my case it’s Performance Improvement.(Think about what yours is!)

Then my niche refers to those who pay me to do what I do i.e. people who buy from me.

But we’re not done yet. In fact, this is where it all gets very interesting!

What follows below, explains why MTN, Virgin and multipreneurial individuals often survive/flourish in harsh business times more than others.

Business owners can generate huge profits by creatively using their specialties and niches.

Philip gave the example of Martha Stewart, who he described as “specializing” in Elegant Living.

He said she “identified many separate niches”.

Did you get that?

Not one niche. But many separate niches.

In other words, she found different target markets to offer her appropriately tailored “specialty”.

Very smart thinking by Martha!

To illustrate, Philip gave examples…

For instance, her deal with a large store chain (K-Mart) enabled Martha sell to a completely different audience, from those who watched her TV show.

In addition, the audiences served by her magazine, were distinctly different from those interested in her Internet businesses.

To paraphrase Philip, Marta understood her specialty.

And that enabled her multiple income streams/huge profits selling to many different niche audiences!

How I Put It All to Use for Myself

As a Performance Improvement Specialist, I earn multiple streams of income helping people in different industries do what they do better.

1. Independent consultants/professionals buy my books (www.lulu.com/sdaproducts) and custom Excel-VB software (www.excelheaven.biz)

2. Groups/Organisations invite me to speak at their events (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQCR2–qBe8) – sometimes sell my products.

3. Businesses in different industries hire me to develop custom software, implement web marketing systems, do freelance writing, training etc.

To do the above, I “customize my specialty” to meet peculiar needs, wants and interests of each different market niche.

That’s why I have custom software that computes/chart farm operations Key Performance Indicators (www.tayosolagbade.com/pfmgr.html); another does automated feed formulation (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChaF2MP0zEk); yet another auto-generates payslips for employees in hotels, hospitals (www.tinyurl.com/ExcelVBPayslipGeneratorDemo) etc

In all cases, my role remains that of a Performance Improvement Specialist, who helps them find practical, reliable ways to do what they do better.

You Can Do The Same!

Remember: By spending time to think of how your specialty can be used to help people in different market niches, you can dramatically boost your income earning ability.

Think about it.

Career Development, Entrepreneurship, Farm Biz, General, My DN Travel News, My Ideas for Making Nigeria Better, Parenting, Public Speaking, Self-Development, Writing/Blogging

Smart Exercising Will Keep You Fit, Healthy, and Alive

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Yes, that’s the key to good health, looking young, and LIVING LONG.

Sweating enables your body expel many “bad things” that can weaken it!

I took the photo below, this a.m (Friday 22nd Nov. 2013 at 10.00a.m):

Sweating enables you body expel many "bad things" that can weaken it!!
Sweating enables you body expel many “bad things” that can weaken it!!
Above: Photo taken in 2013 – I was 43 at the time
Below: Photo taken in March 2017 – I was 46+  (will be 48 in 6 months from today i.e. July 2018)

tks-xlvb-code-ethics-flyer

I was doing my usual 20 to 30 minute walk, from my place at Barrière here in Cotonou, to a cyber cafe I frequent at the Etoile Rouge area.

As I approached Agontikon, next to the crossroad, a shop owner friend called out to me.

During our chat he kept asking “Ca va un peu?” (It’s a way of asking: “Everything okay?“) in apparent reference to (and concern about) my sweating.

I kept saying “Oui” (i.e. “Yes”) without adding any details …until it dawned on me to explain…

You see, every day (including Sundays), just before breakfast, I do seventy (70) push-ups – sometimes 100.

That’s followed by some yoga-style exercises for 10 to 15 minutes

After that, I eat and then WALK to the cyber cafe as part of a deliberate strategy to “exercise” my lower body.

When I get to my destination, I wipe myself clean of sweat using a towel I keep in my bag.

And my “exercising mission” for the day would have been accomplished!

I ended my explanation, by making the following statement to my friend:

“Si tu veux rester fort, et tu ne veux pas devenir vieux trop vite, il faut perspirer. C’est très important pour la santé!”

(Translation: “If you want to stay strong, and you don’t want to grow old too quickly, you need to sweat. It’s very important for the health!“)

For effect, I added:

“J’ai 43 ans” (Translation: I’m 43 years old”).

His jaw dropped, as he looked me over repeatedly…then he exclaimed:

“Ce n’est pas vrai” (Translation: Not true!).

As I walked away, I laughingly told him:

“C’est la verité (Translation: “It’s the truth”)

And he kept staring at me in what seemed a mixture of surprise and wonder.

If he’s smart, he’ll adopt a similar simple exercise regimen

And so will you, if you do not already do it.

It will keep your body in good form to withstand the daily wear and tear, from the activities and foods you expose it to!

In case you’re wondering, this strategy makes me super-productive. And I do not exaggerate.

One Example:

Last Saturday (16th Nov. 2013), I worked 13 straight hours from 9a.m till about 10.30p.m (without getting up, NOT even to drink water), to finish my 4,000 word agri-business case study paper – for entry into an international research paper writing contest. The paper is about the use of Excel-VB driven spreadsheet automation for Feed Formulation.

That same night, I sent it to my co-author Professor friend in North West University, South Africa.

From 7.30a.m Sunday morning, we spent about 2 hours on phone agreeing modifications. Then he sent the final version to the organisers in the Netherlands via email.

So now, we wait till Tuesday, when the judges will notify us about whether or not it’s been accepted.

[UPDATE (12th Sept. 2015): Should have done this way back in Dec. 2013, when the payment happened. But it kept slipping my mind. The paper did get approved, and I did get paid for it. Read this article: PDF Agribusiness Research Paper] Adoption of PC-Based Feed Formulation Methods by Farmers, Feed Manufacturers and Extension Professionals, in South West Nigeria – Complete my Questionnaire Survey & Download FREE PDF Copy]

The point I’m making is my diligent exercising enables me near-effortlessly get work done – to meet tight deadlines – even if I have to continue for long stretches of time. And I mean physical, as well as mental work.

You see, I believe that without my disciplined dedication to fitness, I could not have gotten that paper done, in combination with other work I had to do. And that included traveling to Nigeria to administer a questionnaire survey to farm business CEOs, and then returning to Cotonou to collate the data for use in the paper!

In truth, many much younger people often find it hard to keep up with me. As do my peers and older persons.

For instance, I’ve had clients and staff go round farm premises with me, after which we returned to the “farm office/house” for our meals.

Subsequently however, they struggled to keep their eyes open, as I tried to explain how the software I built for them worked :-)

The reason this happened was that they often lacked both physical and mental stamina, aka STAYING POWER.

People who succeed usually have STAMINA. If you want to succeed, YOU WILL NEED IT!

And to have it, you must commit to diligent exercising on a regular basis.

As a writer (or expert in any other field), it will boost your productivity tremendously. And your quality of work will also improve!

By the way, nothing I’ve said here is meant to be bragging.

I simply feel it’s important that I share with you a strategy that’s worked quite well for me, over the past 20 years now.

Yes, I’ve been doing it this way for over 2 decades – with great results to show for it!

You don’t need to become some physical fitness guru or anything.

And you’re not necessarily going to be aiming to win any competition against others here. What I refer to is the adoption of a disciplined habit of daily exercising.

In a past issue of my newsletter, I wrote on this same theme. It was titled: No. 94: Use Physical Fitness to Boost Your Productivity (4 Tips).

You should read it.

One last thing…

It might interest you to know, that ever since quitting competitive handball in 1992 (when I left the university), I’ve used this strategy to maintain my fitness right through paid employment, up till today.

Many who know me will confirm this.

And that’s why I’m this confident, that it works. So do use it :-)