SHIINE study; Day 1 Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (review)

Day 1: Belief lifts your TALENT!

Introduction;
Like strongly believed, every human has talent, thanks to the author who answers a popular question about success, "the first and greatest obstacle to success for most people is their belief in themselves". He declared that when people believe in themselves, they unleash power in themselves and resources around them that almost immediately take them to a higher level.

With an inspiring story (usually his way of writing), he stated the beliefs worth buying into as they would help you become your best which includes;

1. Believe in your potential:
The author believes that to reach our potential, we must first believe in that potential and determine to live way beyond average. Writing in Charles Schwab words, "when a man puts a limit on what he will do, he has put a limit on what he can do". "Your potential is really up to you. It doesn't matter what others think, where you come from or what you might have believed. It's about what lies within you and whether you can bring it out".

2. Belief in yourself:
Believing in potentials is one thing, believing that you are capable of utilizing those potent is another. In the words of the author, "people who believe in themselves gets better jobs and perform better in them than those who don't". Only with belief in ourselves will we be able to reach our potentials.

3. Belief in your mission:
Often I have heard that a purposeless life is a hopeless life. How true is it. What we are doing with our lives especially when it affects people positively at some point is all that matters. Like stated, belief in mission empowers, encourage and enlarges us. He said, "if you keep believing, you will someday find yourself doing what you once considered impossible".

TALENT + BELIEF = TALENT-PLUS Person

1. Belief determines expectation
The author like I do, believes that one becomes on the outside what he believes on the inside. Like he predicted, "in the long run, a belief is more than an idea that a person possess. It's the idea that possess a person...". He believes that failure is inevitable but trying again and again usually presents the expected.

2. Expectation determines action
Clearly the author cited the two kinds of people; those who want to get things done and those who don't want to make mistakes. He trust that the only way to meet and overcome any challenge is to expect to, to making ourselves bigger than the obstacle.

3. Action determines results
"If you want to perform good action, you must have positive expectations. To have a positive expectation, you have to first belief".

Believing brings result in the long run and that's what makes a talent-plus person.

To-Do
1. Write a short description of yourself as you are today.
2. What are your top five talents?
3. List the three activities you are most passionate about.
4. Think about what opportunities may be presenting themselves to you.
5. Take some time to consider what picture emerged based on talent, interest and opportunities.
6. What you just wrote is a description of who you could be.

Now BELIEF.....and keep SHIINE'ing'. Happy new month

SHIINE study; law 18 of the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership

Law of Sacrifice

INTRODUCTION:
"...But the reality is that leadership requires sacrifice. A leader must give up to go up".

REVIEW:
"Why does an individual step forward to lead other people? For every person, the answer is different. A few is to survive. Some do it to make money. Many desire to build a business or organisation. Others do it because they want to change the world...". With these words, the author started, making emphasis on the last category of leaders who he thinks sacrifice more as he used Martin Luther King Jnr as a perfect example.

He warned about the mis-perception of most people towards leadership when he reveals that, "the life of a leader can look glamorous to people on the outside but the reality is that leadership requires sacrifice".

Furthermore, he came up with four truths we need to know especially if we desire to make sacrifices as a leader which are;
1. There is no success without sacrifice.
2. Leaders are often asked to give up more than others.
3. You must keep giving up.
4. The higher your level of leadership, the greater the sacrifice.

He finalised the law of sacrifice with the story of Condelezza Rice (once U.S secretary of states) who constantly gave up to go up. The author says this about her, "She has been consistently willing to give up to go up and I have no doubt that she will make whatever sacrifices are necessary to take the next step. That's what happens when a leader understands and lives by the law of sacrifice".

LESSONS:
1. The desire and will to make sacrifice is the first step.
2. Leaders who think leadership as a destination soon stops sacrificing and stops gaining higher ground.
3. Read 21 Irrefutable laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell...Law 18.

Let's keep SHIINE'ing'....

SHIINE study; law 17 of the 21 irrefutable laws of leadership

Law of priorities

INTRODUCTION:
"There are many things that will catch my eyes, but there are only a few that will catch my heart" (Tim Redmond)...Leaders understand that activity is not necessary accomplishment.

REVIEW:
Clearly, the author made his point that leaders never advance to points where they no longer prioritise regardless of the environment or situation stating three reasons that can trigger the act of not prioritising which are;
"When we are busy, we naturally believe we are achieving, secondly, it requires a leader to think ahead, to know what's important and thirdly, it causes discomfort.

He explained with the three 'Rs' how one can prioritise and it's stated below. The author believes that to be effective, leaders must order their lives according to these three 'R' questions;
1. What is Required? By his explanation, our responsibilities to people we are accountable to is of utmost importance. Asking yourselves questions like "what must be done that only you can do" is very important in prioritising.
2. What gives the greatest Return? He advised that focusing and developing those areas in our life that give the greatest output including giving much time to things that gives much return should be practised by leaders.
3. What brings the greatest Reward? Here the author gives an illustration with himself. He reveals that love for the things he does energies him and keep him passionate - that is the greatest reward for him.

In a nutshell, the author puts it, "successful leaders live according to the law of priority. They recognise that activity is not necessary accomplishment. But the best leaders seem to be able to get the law os priorities to work for them by satisfying multiple priorities with each activity..."

LESSONS:
1. Taking a stand to start prioritising your life activities is the first step.
2. Write out answers to the three R questions and carve out occasionally, specific times to revisit priorities for the area.
3. Read 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership by J.C Maxwell...Law 17.

It's time to SHIINE friend...

SHIINE study; Law 16 of the 21 Irrefutable laws of leadership

Law of the Big Mo..

INTRODUCTION
"When you 've got great momentum, you don't want anything to get in its way...momentum is a leader's best friend".

REVIEW:
"Why is momentum a leader's best friend? Many times momentum is the only thing that makes the difference between losing and wining" (the author).

Illustrating with the story of Pixar and Disney, he showed how momentum can make a great positive effect on a leader and the organisation. According to him, losing momentum could be very dangerous as he revealed, "when you have no momentum, even the simplest tasks seem impossible".

He gave out some things about momentum that we need to know and they are;
1. Momentum is the greatest exaggerator.
2. Momentum makes leaders look better than they are.
3. Momentum helps followers perform better than they are.
4. Momentum is easier to steer than to start.
5. Momentum is the most powerful change agent.
6. Momentum is the leader's responsibility.
7. Momentum begins inside the leader.

Supporting my thoughts, he said, "it takes a leader to create momentum". And once created, will be valued by the leader and at that moment, almost anything can be done. That's the power of Big Mo.

LESSONS:
1. Momentum starts within.
2. To motivate the organisation, you have to remove every negative elements.
3. Read 21 Irrefutable laws of Leadership by J.C Maxwell...Law 16.

SHIINE friends...

SHIINE study; Law 15 of the 21 Irrefutable laws of leadership.

Law of Victory

INTRODUCTION
"Leaders find a way for the team to win".

REVIEW:
Asking questions like, "What separates the leaders who achieve victory from those who suffers defeat?" "What does it take to make a team win?" The author answered, "It's hard to identify the quality that separates winners from losers. Every leadership situation is different...But I think that victorious leaders have one thing in common; they share an unwillingness to accept defeat".

Having said this, the author believes that the most incredible time for a leader to bring out the best in him (and the worst) is in crisis explaining in details with the story of Winston Churchill.

According to him(the author), there are uncertainties that must be made certain in other for the team to win which he termed 'component of victory'. They are;
UNITY OF VISION.
DIVERSITY OF SKILLS.
LEADERS DEDICATION TO VICTORY AND RAISING PLAYERS TO THEIR POTENTIAL.

He said the best leaders feel compelled to rise to a challenge and do everything in their power to achieve victory and pointed out the views of certain situation by victorious leaders which are;
Leadership is responsible.
Losing is unacceptable.
Passion is unquenchable.
Creativity is essential.
Quitting is unthinkable.
Commitment is unimaginable.
Victory is inevitable.

Concluding, he warned that our level of expectation and how dedicated we are to winning as leaders may determine whether we will succeed or fail and whether our team wins or losses.

LESSONS:
1. Taking responsibility of the team as a leader is the first step to winning with the team.
2. List down the skills necessary to achieve your goals and bring in the right people into the team.
3. Read 21 Irrefutable laws of Leadership by John C. Maxwell...Law 15.

Together, let's SHIINE!!!

SHIINE Motivation

What are your goals this week? What are your plans to reach this goals? Many a time, what it takes to lay a great plan is through the knowledge acquired.

Having said this, what do you wish to feed your mind this week friend? Our mind is our engine! What we read, what we see(watch), what we hear(listen) plays an important role in setting those plans.

The greatest discovery of all time is that we can become anything by just changing how we think! But what do your mind(engine) process(think about)?

It's what you give to it. It's what you take in.

This week, I see you living out those fragment of your BIG dreams. I see you taking up responsibilities - you know why? God has made you a conqurer!

Strive to control what you give to your brain. Read educating books, listen to educating tapes, chat with people that brings out the best in you....

....And continue SHIINE'ing'! Have a blessed week....

SHIINE study; Learning never ends!

It downed on him that it wasn’t a dream. He was being kicked out of the building. His well ironed suit, with his starched pink shirt and a tie to march his black shoe made C.K(as he is popularly known) all the girls dream guy. He was tall, ebony and little muscular in nature, almost like the NBA stars just that he wasn’t the sport guy. Oh Yes! C.K wasn’t the type that flirted or partied either. Rumor has it that he had an agreement with the god of intelligent, but it’s just people and their talk. It was simply principles that made C.K what he was until today.

What really happened to C.K” asked this gorgeous lady who I know has had this crush for me. Recovering from the shock that C.K has been sacked from work; I still didn’t know what to say to this lady beside me still asking what has happened to my best friend and colleague. I mean, C.K wasn’t just my best friend or the best employee in ‘REACH THE ZENITH CONSULTING FIRM’; I was a secret student under his mentorship although without his knowledge. He was my mentor!

“What happened, talk to me”, pleaded Ada. “Okay, okay”, I answered trying to ease her from her own curiosity. “C.K has been sacked”! “What? Why? When? How? By who?” was her quick response. “Which do I answer first, calm down” I was beginning to wonder if she was also one of C.K’s secret students.

No doubt, C.K was very intelligent, but he was too absorbed in what he has learnt already that he forgot that there are a lot to learn. He frequently missed seminars and trainings organized by the company. He would always say to me, “o boi! Wey tin I go learn wey I never sabi?”, in my simplicity, I will just smile.

C.K though he knew everything, that he never wanted more, he never humbled himself before knowledge to be mentored or tutored. He was contended with the knowledge he had already, with his old knowledge.

“Ada, he was sacked by the new management who couldn’t stand him any longer for the reason you know already, through an email and a typed letter (hard copy) this morning in this office” I answered still checking if I have omitted anything. I then added, “If this can befall C.K, then we are not a problem. Knowledge is power and I will always yearn to develop mine. I will learn, unlearn and relearn on frequent basis. Hope you will too”? “Of course I will, let me go and summit those files before I will be next on line”! She replied as she walked to her desk……..

SHIINE study; Regret!

I didn’t know it would end up like this-my life torn apart like a piece of rag. Like a bottle smashed into pieces. Is this what they have been fighting for, I mean my parent- oh! Such wonderful people they are. I could remember how they were so caring, they were the best parent in the world- hey, that was some years back and I never adhere to any of their advice, I was such a fool, yes a big one at that. How did I know it would end up like this, of course, if I had known, it wouldn’t have been so…so stupid, but what is the point in knowing the future when you have today to build, to decide? My life has brought me so much grieve, so much pain that I just want to kill myself. Oh! The dreams, the big house, the cash, all are gone. God, God! Are you really there? Are you watching from the throne of yours the believers preached about? But why would you care when I didn’t seek you?

Was I a prodigal son? No! he was even better, at least, he had a father to apologize to but I, I killed mine indirectly- my father, a man whose legacies would live on forever, how I wish you were beside me in this times I need your counsel the most, if you can hear me father, I am so sorry for all the pain, I know you deserved better, forgive me. I know you must be thinking of my mother, the poor old woman, what can she do? Twenty years ago, she was the woman her contemporaries would dream to be, she was not only beautiful but was also very rich but now, calling her a shadow of herself is an understatement because of what I did to her. I heard she is not hitherto a mad woman. Oh! My family, what a pain I am disguised as a son. What have I done?

My story is a long and sad one, but I will try as much as possible to make it short. What I can’t do is to reverse it; it will always be a sad one and believe me, it will. I have tried to forget it, but it seems impossible, I have tried to put an end to my life but I couldn’t. What haven’t I done? God! What anguish have I brought upon myself? Oh! How I cry as I write this, believe me, you wouldn’t want this life of mine even on a platter of gold, this life of regret.

I was born in to a wealthy family and the only child. I could imagine the joy of my parent after I was delivered- at last, God has answered their prayer. They never knew that I was a devil in disguise that I would become their worst nightmare but they didn’t care. They were glad I was there, a bouncing baby boy-a gift to look upon. I know they would have been looking forward to the future – especially my father, “now I have a heir to my wealth”, he must have murmured. 15 years after that memorable day, it has begun- my true self- I became the talk of the neighbors, of the teachers at school. I was the don. With the connections of my parent, I saw myself in the university against my will- now I know they meant good, they wanted me to see my mates who were doing something positive with their lives- but that was the most wonderful thing they had done for me. I met them, yes I met my friends, I met the people who ruined not only their lives but mine also. We were the campus dons, we were the unseen who were very much seen. We became notorious people on campus,

Of course, words reached home of what I was, my parents were embarrassed, they tried, they tried all they can but what can they do, am the only one who can set myself free, I am the only one that can use my powers, I am the only one who can decide my future not them, yes I remember hearing the preachers telling me about self-motivation. But they just wanted to help. They just wanted to invest, to counsel me, they just wanted to do their holy duty as parents but I never allowed them, I didn’t give them a chance even with all the love them gave me. Oh! What have I done?

I can’t… I can’t run away from this pain, I have lavished the gain, I have spent it now, I suffer the debt I owe to this life. Hmmm yes life, you are so not forgiving in nature, you take as you give… what am I doing? Putting the blame on something I know doesn’t matter, we take what we want from life. Life is what we make out of it, it is actually, a servant to you and I. Believe me, I speak out of experience, I have gone through that part. Where was I in my miserable story… am I this stupid? Who would answer this question whereas I write alone in this remote place?

I could remember how we graduated, we were afraid of our lives, looking around like those living in a war zone during the war. We were looking around as if a bullet will hit us, we were insecure. What was the matter? There was a war going on between us and our main rival, it was a dreadful day - some of my ‘brothers’ lost their lives. Today, I ask again, God why didn’t You take my life, at least I wouldn’t be suffering like this? But as my neighbor will always say, “the counsel of thy lord will always stand”.

He had a better idea! He wanted me to write to you, to share my burden with you, to explain what not paying life’s price could cause in the future. To tell you how important having a dream, focus, determination and discipline could also do in someone’s’ life. I was saved on that dreadful day to carry my pain alone…wait a minute! I was saved that day to carry yours too; yes my experience can save you from making a similar mistake.

I am hungry and my eyes are weak. I can’t lift my body any longer and my hands are begriming to get heavier…I am dying! My eyes are growing weaker as I write and I barely see what iii write. Please don’t…don’t end up like I did and do wellllll….do well to advice oth……………………..

SHIINE inspiration: Mountain-moving Questions

Do you know...?

That with God all things are possible?
That you can’t do anything about the length of your life but you can do something about the depth and width?
That you are the success this generation has been waiting for?
That the fullness of God in man is through Christ?
That the lessons learnt during a process is more important than the goal?
That when you learn from your defeat, you have not really lost?
That when one door closes, a better one opens?
That you are not meant to be poor?
That success is a limit?
That success is not by luck or by chance but a result of principles and success steps?
That you can do more than you have always done?
That I love, respect and believe in you?

Have you noticed...?

That when you are doing something great, obstacles pops up?
That great men are people who live for others?
That it is easier to destroy than to build?
That pride brings you up to let you fall?
That once you set your mind to achieve something, you usually accomplish it?
That is doesn’t matter how long but how well?
That only fools and dead men don’t change their minds; fools won’t and dead men can’t?
That the world acknowledges only those that have something to offer?
That connections can disappoint but what you have within is always at your service?
That what people say or do shows who really they are?
That there is nothing that is not in the bible?
That procrastination, indecision, past thinking and lack of vision are the canker worm that has eaten deep in the minds of the youths?

Why don’t you…?

Come closer to God whose joy strengthens you , who has impacted in you greatness and has given you the authority to subdue, conquer and till the earth?
Look deep into yourself and see that you are more than a cheese; that you are an image of God?
Come closer to God’s only begotten son; Jesus who has made you a light to the world, a salt to nations and also promised you the Holy Spirit who will be a comforter?
Start believing that ‘I CAN’T’ is dead and buried and is survived by ‘I CAN’, ‘I WILL’ and ‘I SHALL’?
See the fact that you are what the world has been waiting for and that some persons greatness is attached to yours?
Change your old unproductive ways and turn on a new live that is worth emulating?

Come to think of it…?

You can do better than you have always done?
Poverty kills, but hard work doesn’t?
Since Christ lives in you, you can do all things because He strengthens you?
There is no better person to execute that plan of God except you?
God can’t work except through a man. Can’t that man be you!

Conclusion
You can do anything because; greater is HIM that lives in you than he that is in the world. God believes that you are a success only that you have to acknowledge this truth. Keep SHIINE’ing’!!!