SHiINE motivation: Finding your purpose!

Hello greatness!

I trust you are changing (for the best)? I think you might want to hear this...

"The greatest tragedy in a man's life is not death, but living a life without purpose, a life without utilizing his potentials, a life where he just live the days in his life and not the lives in his days! That's the worst that can befall a man.

Like I pointed in one of my posts (though isn't mine), the two best days in your life is the day you were born and the day you found out your life purpose!

How do you achieve this?

It ain't no big deal greatness! Here are some ways of finding your life mission;

1. All good things cometh from above (heaven), the bible says. Try to meditate the reason Mankind was created. The first is to TILL, CONQUER and SUBDUE the earth, in other words, God has installed in you to do all this. Secondly, meditate on the mission to reconcile men to God as Jesus instructed (Go ye and make disciples of ALL nations).

2. Your hobbies are not your hobbies (I was really happy when I heard this). Trust me, those things you do with little preparation and yet much production check well, they are tools you need to fulfill your life's purpose.

3. We have millions of books, audio and video tapes and seminars springing up daily. You might just see a word that will change your perception about who you are. (Thanks to Understanding your potential by Myles Muroe, RISE national youth forum 2010 @Unical, my Pastor and FECA). Invest in investing in yourself!

4. Look for the best environment, friends and organization that will help you.

Hope this little 'open' secrets will take you to another level greatness? Do have a wonderful day as you keep SHIINE'ing'...I love you!

IMAGINE you have a CHANCE! Now you DO!

Going through Etim Edet Etim's answers - of a questionnaire in our just concluded SHIINE Career development/Entrepreneurship program in Calabar - who wants to be a president (which by the way is not a profession) yet hates government, Economics and Office management; of Miriam who wants to study Medicine and Surgery yet despises Chemistry and Physics, I begin to think. What has our educational system turned to, what is happening to our children whom we term 'leaders of tomorrow?" What becomes of our HOPE for a better Nigeria when those whose eyes reflects those HOPES wanders in absolute ignorance?

Yes absolute ignorance, yes foolishly they drown in the river yet clothed ina swimming suitse. What happened? CAREER DEVELOPMENT I did say has really with the eagles flown far away from our educational system. I begin to wonder, "truly our education molds us to be job seekers and not creators, right?


Every kid has this fragile and innocent mind to make decision of which at most times ignorant of the consequences of those decisions made hence needs a little guide...nope! A BIG guide (which of course is YOU and I!) They require constant inspiration, motivation, direction, encouragement and knowledge to not just belief in themselves, make the right choices but to belief in their talenst too irrespective of how less significant it might look or sound.

But why should I continue in the encouragement sermon when it has become a popular and accepted thinking that our kids should become professionals of whatever careers the parents hoped for? In other words, trail the path of security planned by their parents? Why should I talk about inspiration when we have forgotten our moral and patriotic duty to educate to educate these innocent minds roaming the streets or sitting in the class rooms? Why should you continue reading when the government fail to administer counselors in schools (make it compulsory to have at least two in every schools) or in few cases fails to check on those that have already? LOVE! Love for this nation!! Love for those great minds!!! Love for a better Nigeria!!!!

I can still hear the voice of Shedrach (an ss 1 student), "...our counselor beats us when we take our problems to her..." And I ask again, "Are the counselors meant to flog or guide? Will Shedrach and other students alike be able to confront the counselor with their problems?" Are our students meant to be influenced more by the fake characters they watch on home movies? Or shouldn't it be our duty to spread our experience as O' Level graduates?

Imagine how disastrous it would be if we have a president who doesn't like Government. Who despises Economics and Office management. How will such a President lead us to our Canaan land?

Imagine an actor who hated literature in English. How would he/she feel when he finds out that it's the most important subject in his/her career?

Imagine when a student gains an admission into the medical college only for her joy tobhe short lived because she was ignorant of the vital courses (subjects) she would need to be a medical doctor.

Imagine if I was a microbiologist and left writing this piece to you (oh! You didn't know? Check my profile).

This is our fight to save this young great and unique minds. This is our chance to make impacts. This is our chance to be a blessing. This is our chance to become the change we dream of. This is our chance to a new and better Nigeria.

Join us (SHIINE) as we take on the theme: Career development/Entrepreneurship to the senior students in secondary schools. You can help change a life (short run) and Nigeria (long run) by just sending a BOOK (career developments, vision/passion, success stories or academics), Ideas or something you deem necessary and important. Let's keep SHIINE'ing' because lives (including mine) depend on you!

Contact: +2347038170881
Email 1:Kc.ogbuagu@yahoo.com
Email 2: Shiine.academy@yahoo.com
Blog: Shiineacademy.blogspot.com

Bb pin: 26AA8671

SHIINE study; Day 13; Talent has never been enough by John Maxwell (review)

Teamwork multiplies your talent.

Introduction
The author asserts, "if you want to do something really big, then do it as part of a team". Like he made believe, teamwork not only allows a person to do what he couldn't otherwise do; it also has a compounding effect on all possesses - including talent.

Below are truths about teamwork as explained by the author;

1. Teamwork divides the effort and multiplies the effect;
"It's common sense that people working together can do more than an individual working alone. So why are some people reluctant to engage in teamwork? It can be difficult in the beginning. Teams don't usually come together and develop on their own. They require leadership and cooperation. While that may be more work on the front end, the dividends it pays on the back end are tremendous and well worth the effort" author.

2. Talent wins games, but teamwork wins championship;
Like harold S. Geneen said, "the essence of leadership is the ability to inspire others to work together as a team - to stretch for a common objective". When we are part of a team, the author believes we will perform at the highest level.

3. Teamwork is not about you;
Being in a team isn't about just you or anyone in particular. The author advices that, "one secret of successful teamwork is converting individual ego into team confidence, individual sacrifice and synergy".

Great team creates community;
All effective teams create an environment where relationships grow and teammates become connected to one another...when a team shares a strong sense of community, team members can resolve conflicts without dissolving relationships".

5. Adding value to others adds value to you;
The more we work to add value in the team, we also add value to ourselves. But when we go in for our personal gain, it most times turns into a disaster.

TALENT + TEAMWORK = TALENT-PLUS person

1. Buy in to the law of Significance;
It states, "one is too small a number to achieve greatness". If you buy into an idea, then you will embrace the concept of teamwork.

2. Include a team in your dream;
The greater your vision, the more need there is for a good team. Team work gives you the best opportunity to turn your vision in to reality -author.

3.Develop your team;
If you are a leader, you must make it your goal to develop your teammates or players. It begins with having the right people on the team.

4. Give the credit for success to the team;
The author believes that one of the ways of becoming a talent-plus in the area of teamwork is to give as much of the credit as you can to the people on the team.

To-Do

1. How do you think of your talent? Does it just benefit you or is it an instrument used to benefit others? If you think everything is all about you, you will never be a good team player.
2. How strong is the sense of community on a team of which you are currently a part? Have you started taking up responsibilities?
3. How can you add value to others on you team? Think of three people on your team who you believe have high potential and could benefit from talent, skills or experience you have to offer. Write a plan for each outlining how you will help him/her.
4. For the next two weeks, make a commitment to yourself to take no credit for anything that goes right.

Finally, we made it! Yes we did. Talent has never been a enough, it still isn't. The bible says that our talent maketh way for us. But other factors (like treated in the past few days) helps us stay there. I believe in you and we hope on you. Keep SHIINE'ing'....

SHIINE study; Day 12; Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (riew)

Responsibility strengthens your talent.

Introduction;
"Nothing adds 'muscles' to talent" said the author. He describes it as a talent lifter and a stamina increaser. Like he said, "responsibility actually strengthens talent and increases the opportunity for long-term success. Below is how it helps;

1. Responsibility provides the foundation of success.
2. Responsibility, handled correctly, leads to more responsibility.
3. Responsibility maximizes ability and opportunity.
4. Responsibility, over time, builds a solid reputation.

TALENT + RESPONSIBILITY = TALENT-PLUS person

1. Start wherever you are:
Each time you make a responsible decision, you become a more responsible person. Even if your track record hasn't been good up to now, you can change - author. He asserted, "you can't start from anyplace other than where you are".

2. Choose your friend wisely:
A lot has been said about this in the previous chapters.
In all, your friends either becomes your stepping stone or your crushing stone.

3. Stop blaming others:
"If you want to be successful and to maximize your talent as a talent-plus person, you need to stop blaming others...don't make excuses. Don't look for others to blame. Just focus on the present and do your best..."Author.

4. Learn responsibility's major lesson:
Recognize that gaining success means practicing self-discipline.
What you start, finish.
Know when others are depending on you.
Don't expect others to step in for you.

5. Make tough decision and stand by them:
Abraham Lincoln said, "you cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today". Making tough decisions, the author reveals makes us better.

6. Live beyond yourself:
The author believes that living by serving others is living beyond one's self.

The author advice, "if you want to be a magnificent story, then realize that you are its author. Everyday you have the chance to write a new page in that story. I want to encourage you to fill those pages with responsibility to others and yourself. If you do, in the end you will not be disappointed.

To-Do

1. How good are you about taking care of the small stuff? They show how you can handle big ones.
2. Seek help from expertise, mentors, worthy friends when you have trouble with these; practicing self-discipline, following through with something you started, when people are depending on you, stepping forward.
3. What decision haven't you made? Why aren't you taking action? Right now, write down the reasons why you haven't. Are they really worth it? Evaluate and step out, make them and stand by it.

Stay tuned as we bring you the last chapter...take responsibility as I await your greatness. Keep SHIINE'ing'..

SHIINE study: Day 11; Talent is never enough by John Maxwell(review)

Relationship influences your talent

Introduction:
Who do you like being with? The author advices, "surround yourself with people who add to your value and encourage you and your talent will go in a positive direction". Like he said, people can trace the success and failures in their lives to their most significant relationships.

He pointed out that;
Some relationships take from us (when a person makes you feel worse about yourself).

Some relationships add to us (we are energized, inspired and lifted up).

Here are five signs of a solid relationship by the author

1. Where there's mutual enjoyment.
2. Where respect is found.
3,Experience are shared.
4. Trust reigns.
5. Reciprocity (it doesn't rest on just one's shoulder).

TALENT + RELATIONSHIP = TALENT-PLUS person

1. Identify the most important people in your life:
You need to identify then first before you can assess how they are influencing your talent.

2. Assess whether they are influencing you in the right direction:
Ask questions like, what does he thinks of me?, what does he thinks of my future?, how does he or she behave towards me in difficult times?, what does he bring out of me?.

3. If your friends aren't friends, then make new friends:
The author remarked, "if the people close to you are dragging you down, then it may be time to make some changes". When you really think about it, the things that matter most in life are relationships we develop.

Life is too long to spend it with people who pull you in the wrong direction. And it's too short not to invest in others. Your relationships will define you. And they will influence your talent - one way or the other. Choose wisely -author.

To-Do;

1. Make a list of the important people in your life. Next to each name, put a plus sign if the person adds to you and a minus sign if that person takes from you. The list will help you make some changes.
2.Pick the relationships that matters most to you and evaluate it. Know if the it's mutualism or imbalance. Try to balance it.
3. Write a thank you note to a pivotal person in your life, expressing your gratitude and explaining what the person has done for you and what it has meant.

Thanks for being my friend...keep SHIINE'ing'...

SHIINE study: Day 10; Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (review)

Character protects your talent.

Introduction;
"Many people with talent make it into the limelight, but the ones who have neglected to develop strong character rarely stay there long...because people cannot climb beyond the limitations of their character" author. He believes that character protects our gifts, makes a difference in us, build what's inside us and it prevents us from taking shortcuts to life.

Consequently, he enlisted and explained the components of character which includes;

1. Self-discipline
Quoting Henry Parry liddon, he writes, "what we do on some great occasion will probably depend on what we already are; and what we are will be the result of previous years of self discipline". The author defines self discipline as the ability to do what's right even when you don't feel like doing it.

2. Core values
Our core values are the principles we live by everyday. They define what we believe and how we live. "Core values give order and structure to an individual's life and when that inner life is in order, a person can navigate almost anything the world throws at him" author.

3. A sense of identity:
Firmly, the author asserted, "no matter how hard you try, you cannot consistently behave in a way that is in consistent with how you see yourself". He said in the beginning that when it comes to character, we need to have the answers to the question 'who am I?'".

4. Integrity;
Defining integrity as the alignment of values, thoughts, feelings and actions, he further said,"people who possess the consistency that comes with strong integrity can be very compelling, a person becomes focused and character strengthened.

Below are what character communicates;

1. Character communicates consistency
2. Character communicates choice
3. Character communicates influence
4. Character communicates longevity

TALENT + CHARACTER = TALENT-PLUS person

. Don't give up or give in to adversity:
Like Martin Luther King said, "the true content of a man is not what he does in times of comfort and conveniences but in times of challenges and controversy (paraphrased)". The author believes adversity strengthens character. He advises, "don't give up in the midst of a storm. Don't bait out in the middle of conflict. Wait until the trouble is behind you before assessing whether it's time to change courses or stop. Do that and you may have additional opportunities to develop your talent".

2. Do the right thing:
"Naturally doing the right thing doesn't come to us" said the author. He acknowledges the fact that it's never easy to do the right thing when it will cost us or when nobody will know. But he added, "if you do the right thing and keep doing lit, even if it doesn't help you move ahead with your talent in the short term, it will protect you and serve you well in the long term.

3. Take control of your life:
Blaming other factors like finances environment, people or other circumstances have made people more of victims than victors. "The author states, "it's true that in life, we must face many things outside our control. But know this: while your circumstances are beyond your control, your character is always your choice".

We all have God-given talent; develop yours. You have opportunity before you; pursue it. You have a future that is bright, look forward to it. But above all else, you have the potential to become a person of character follows through with it.

To-Do
1. Now, take the time and identify and write down your core values.
2. Identify your level of discipline. Is it acceptable or not? Remember it's necessary to be achieved and then start.
3. Have you been running from adversity lately or for long? This is time to stand with eyes open to face one. It doesn't kill remember! But it strengthens you character.

Like we always say, keep SHIINE'ing'....

SHIINE study; Day 9; Talent is neve enough by John Maxwell (review)

Teachability expands talent.

Introduction;
It always is difficult for talented people to expand their talent because they think they know it all. The author says as he continues, "teachability is not so much about competence and mental capacity as it is about attitude. It's the desire to listen, learn and apply. The hunger to discover and grow. It is the willingness to learn, unlearn and relearn". The author believes that we will expand it we keep expecting and striving to learn.

Here are some truths about teachability we need to know;

1. Nothing is interesting if you are not interested:
Like learnt in the previous chapters (initiative), you can't push someone who doesn't want to move. The author asserted, "teachable people are interested in discovery, discussion.." They are always interested in anything worthwhile.

2. Successful people view learning differently from those who are unsuccessful:
"Teachable people are always open to. New ideas and are willing to learn from anyone who has something to offer" author

3. Learning is meant to be a lifelong pursuit:
"In ignorance we dwell with the lie that learning is an event maybe a university event, but like the author said, "learning is an activity that is not restricted by age..." It's not restricted to a particular place either.

4. Talented people can be toughest to teach:
As said earlier, because they think they know, it becomes difficult. Here the author advice, "one of the paradox of life is that the things that initially make you successful are rarely the thing that keeps you successful. You have to remain open to the things that keep you successful. You have to remain open to new ideas and be willing to learn new skills.
5. Pride is the number one hindrance to teachability:
While envy is the deadly sin that comes from feeling of inferiority, the deadly sin of pride comes from feeling of superiority. Pride closes our mind to new ideas, it closes our minds to feedback, it prevents us from admitting mistakes, it keeps us from making needed changes.

After listing the problems, the author provides us with solution on how to tackle our pride which are; recognize and admit your pride, express gratitude often, laugh at yourself (it helps).

TALENT + TEACHABILITY = TALENT-PLUS person

1. Learn to listen:
The author advices, "as you go through each day, remember that you can't learn if you are always talking...listen to others, remain humble and you will begin to learn things everyday that will help you to expand your talent".

2. Understand the learning process:
Step 1. Act
Step 2. Look for your mistakes and evaluate.
Step 3. Search for a way to do it better.
Step 4. Go back to step 1.

3. Look for and plan teachable moments:
"If you look for opportunities to learn in every situation, you will become a talent-plus person and expand your talent to it's potential, but you can also take another step beyond that by actively seeking out and planning teachable moments, by reading books, visiting inspiring places, attending events that will prompt you to pursue change, listening to lessons and spending time with people who will stretch you and expose you to new experience.

4. Make your teachable moments count:
Because we tend to learn events instead of process, the author suggest that we adapt this method below;
T : indicate you need to spend sometime thinking on that point.
C : indicate something you need to change.
(: A smiley face means you are doing something particularly well.
S : means you need to share that information with information with someone else.

5. Ask yourself, am I really teachably?
You need to soften your attitude and learn humility and remember the words of John Wooden, "everything we know we learn from someone else".

To-Do
1. How would you describe your attitude towards teachability?
2. Start practicing active listening. Ask others for their advice.
3. Seek out, plan and schedule teachable moments for the next year; half year, month week or day.
4. Try and stop two things you don't need, start two you need and keep doing two things you need.

Keep SHIINE'ing'