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'

SHIINE study; Day 7 Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (review)

Perseverance sustain talent

Introduction
No matter how talent people are, there is no success without perseverance. The author defines perseverance as finishing what it is you started no matter the odds. Like he asserted, "perseverance is not an issue of talent. It is not an usual of time. It is about finishing".

If you desire to become a talent-plus person, the author advice, "you need to understand somethings about perseverance which is as follows"

1. Perseverance means succeeding because you are determined to, not destined to;
"The greatest achievers don't sit back and wait for success because they think they deserve it. They keep moving and persevering because they are determined to achieve it" author

2. Perseverance recognizes life is not a long race, but many short ones in succession;
The author thinks that, life is a long series of short races, one after another. Each task has its own challenges. Each day is its own event...".

3. Perseverance is needed to release most of life's reward;
Quoting Thomas Edison, the author writes "many of lifes failure are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up". He advices that it is the last step in the race that counts the most, that is where the winners is determined.

4. Perseverance draws sweetness out of adversity;
The author believes that, "giving up when adversity threatens can make a person bitter, persevering through adversity makes one better".

5. Perseverance has a compounding effect on life;
Everyday that we do the right things even when they are stressful, we invest in ourself. It takes relentless perseverance.

6. Perseverance means stopping not because you are tired, but because the task is done;
"If you think about it, perseverance doesn't really come into play until you are tired...only when you are tired do you need perseverance".

4. Perseverance doesn't demand more than we have but all that we have;
The author asserts, "perseverance is an investment, it demands a lot but all it demands are within you!"

Five enemies of perseverance:

Making it clear that perseverance begins with the right attitude, the author remarked, "the desire to perseverance are alone will enough to keep most people going when they are tired or discouraged. Perseverance is a trait that can be cultivated".
1. A lifestyle of giving up.
2. A wrong belief that life should be easy.
3. A wrong belief that success is a destination.
4. A lack of resiliency
5. A lack of vision.

TALENT + PERSEVERANCE = TALENT-PLUS person.

PURPOSE: find one;
If you want to maximize your talent as a talent-plus person, the author advises, "find your purpose". That is the only way you will be able to persevere.

EXCUSES: eliminate them;
In previous chapters, the author asserted, "it's easier for someone to go from failure to success than from excuses to success". If you want to maximize and sustain your talent, don't allow yourself to offer excuses when you don't perform at the best of your ability.

3. Stamina: develop some;
The author believes that all people who achieve and maintain success possess stamina".

To-Do
1. What is your purpose? Find one now!
2. How often do you give excuses? Start now to resist from it intentionally till it becomes a habit.
3. What is your attitude towards life's challenge? Stamina comes from expecting life to be difficult.
4. Create some think time, think what you are willing to give to realize your potential and maximize.

Keep SHIINE'ing'..

SHIINE study: Day6; Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (review).

Practice sharpens your talent.

Introduction;
Successful people pay their dues and do all that is expected of them plus a little bit more. The author believes that they value practice and develop the discipline to do it. He asserts, "you play at the level at which you practice. Consistently good practice leads to consistently good play".

He went on to explain three things we need to know about practice which I have listed below;

1. Practice enables development;
Standing firm, the author believes that practice is how we grow and develop. He further said that people refine old skills and acquire new ones through practice. Like he advised, "if you desire to improve and develop, then you must practice".

2. Practice leads to discovery;
Obviously, practicing doesn't just sharpens our talent, it helps us discover how far we can go, how wide and efficient our talent can be.

3. Practice demands discipline;
The author like I, believes that habits are developed during practice. "Developing discipline begins with a struggle but once the choice is made and practice becomes a habit, becoming a talent-plus person becomes achievable.

Here are the five pillars of practice as stated and explained by the author;

1. An excellent teacher or coach;
"People who perform at their peak practice effectively and they practice effectively under the leadership of a great teacher...he (teacher) understands his student and knows how to direct them".

2. Your best effort;
Andrew Carnegie declared, "there is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves...". The author discovered, "people don't improve and reach their potential without putting effort".

3. A clear purpose;
Having a clear purpose or direction not only ease your practice, it makes it worthwhile. When you have a purpose of practice and give your best, the author believes you will feel best about yourself.

4. The greatest potential;
"If you don't tap into your talent, it waste away" author. He says that one way you can get the best from yourself is to set high standards for your greatest potential.

5. The right resources;
"Resources are nothing more than tools you need to accomplish your purpose. Every human endeavor requires resources as such kind to practice well, you need to be properly equipped" author.

TALENT + PRACTICE = TALENT-PLUS person;
There is one secret to successful practice that will help you sharpen your talent and I believe it elevates top achievers above everyone else. It's 'a little extra'"- author

1. A little extra effort;
Believing a little extra effort always gives a person an edge, he puts it that, "all accomplishments begins with the willingness to try...the difference between the ordinary and the extraordinary is the EXTRA".

2. A little extra time;
Successful people practice harder and practice longer than unsuccessful people do. The author warns that, "giving a little extra time requires more than just perseverance, it requires patience".

3. A little extra help;
No one is an island. Likewise, no one can live with the help of other people. Like the author said boldly and firmly, "anybody who succeeds at anything does so with the help of others".

4. A little extra change;
Rightly, the author asserted, "to sharpen your talent through practice, you need to do more than just be open to change. You need to pursue change - you need to do it a little bit more than other achievers".

In all, he warns that if you don't strive for excellence, then you are soon settling for acceptable which leads to mediocrity and nobody pays for mediocre. Like he said, "to become a talent-plus person, you have to keep practicing with excellence.

To-Do

1. Incorporate the five pillars of practice.
2. Know your level of practice, it helps you to move your practice routine to another level too.
3. How disciplined are you when it comes to practice? Try working on it intentionally.
4. Reinvent your practice, add more routines that will help sharpen your talent more.
5. In all the four areas, try a little more.

As you practice more, always know that i and other great Nigerians depend on you. Keep SHIINE'ing'....

SHIINE study; Day 5; Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (review)

Preparation position your talent.

Introduction;
Like I often hear, "between you and you goal is a bridge called preparation". The author believes that what happens when you don't prepare is that things you hoped won't happen do happen and they occur with greater frequency than you hope would happen.
Listing and explaining why people fail to prepare, the author asserted, "talent plus preparation often leads to success. Talent minus preparation often leads to disaster". Here are why...

1. They fail to see the value of preparation before action.
"Preparation is a major key to achieving any kind of success. It alone can position your talent to achieve its potential. Quoting co authors, he writes, "lack of preparation is the primary reason for business failure today..."

2. They fail to appreciate the value of discipline.
With the popular definition, the author defines as, "doing what you really don't want to do so that you can do what you really want to do". He believes that even when it becomes frustrating i.e if it (preparation) takes longer than anticipated, we are meant to endure and follow through.

Below are the preparation principles by the author;
1. Preparation allows you to tap into your talent;
With his trip journey, he explains how preparing for the trip helped him harness his writing talent. Like he said, "when am prepared, my talent is positioned for maximum effect".

2. Preparation is a process, not an event;
Warning us all, the author said, "...if daily learning and preparation ever stops, so will our productivity". He believes that anything having to do with people is process-oriented.

3. Preparation precedes opportunity;
In the words of Oprah Winfrey, he wrote " luck is a matter of preparation meeting opportunity". If you want to take advantage of opportunity, then you must always be prepared. Like Abraham Lincoln knew when he said, "I will prepare and someday, my chance will come".

4. Preparation for tomorrow begins with the right use of today;
"Preparation doesn't begin with what you do, it begins with what you believe. If you believe your success tomorrow depends on what you do today, then you will treat today differently...if you are preparing today, chances are you will be repairing tomorrow" author.

5. Preparation requires continually good perspective;
Having a good perspective doesn't just help to prepare, it motivates to prepare. It prompts you to prepare.

6. Good preparation leads to action;
"No plan is worth the paper it's printed on unless it starts you going" William Dranforth. The author ask, "what value has preparation if it never leads to action?"
Additionally, the author explains, "preparation is not mastery of facts. It does not mean knowing all the answers. It doesn't necessarily mean achieving consensus, it means putting yourself I a position to succeed".

TALENT + PREPARATION = TALENT PLUS person

1. Assessment - am I evaluating correctly?
"Good preparation always begins with assessment. If you don't evaluate correctly where you need to go and what it will take to get there, then you are likely to get into trouble". The author believes that, where you need to go, how far your goal is, conditions to meet your goals, what it will take you to get there are very important in assessing.

2. Alignment - am I lined up correctly?
James Dodson said, "what is the use of climbing the ladder of success only to find out it has been leaning on the wrong building?" The author advise that we need to find someone better than us to help us prepare.

6. Attitude - am I visualizing correctly?
As you are preparing, the author says, "you are preparing your minds too". You have to believe in yourself and what you are doing. You have to be able to see yourself doing it with your mind's eye. If you can't imagine it, you probably will not be able to achieve it - author.

To-Do

1. What process are you currently assessing yourself with? Has it be working?

2. Find a mentor to help check your current alignment.

3. Try using trainer and consultant Dru Scott Beder's 'Grab 15' principle. Try setting fifteen minutes and prepare everyday for that you dream about. With time, you add more minutes!

Keep SHIINE'ing'....I believe in you and in your greatness!

SHIINE study: Day 4; Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (review)

Focus directs talents

Introduction
Naturally, focus doesn't come to us says the author, yet it's essential for anyone who wants to make the most of his talent. Like he puts it, "having talent without focus is like being an octopus on a roller skates". In all, he says, "talent with focus directs you and has the potential to take you forward".

Below are some facts you need to know about focus by the author;

1. Focus does not come naturally to most people:
Because we live in an environment with a lot of choices and opportunities, pulled to different direction, the author suggest that what will help solve the predicament is focus.

2. Focus increases your energy;
"If you desire to achieve something, you first need to know what your target is...if you lack focus, you will be all over the place...like attempting nothing, will suck the life out of you...and whatever momentum you have going for you will be diminished.
3. Focus lifts you;
The author quotes David Star Jordan, "the world stands aside to let anyone pass who knows when he or she is going". Having a direction according to the author is what makes you stand out.

4. Focus expands your life:
Focusing your attention on a particular thing (idea, work) helps expands more than when little attention is giving to it. Like Mile Kendrick asserted, "what you focus on expands".

5. Focus must be intentionally sustained;
Like focus is not natural, we need to constantly sustain it. Of course, it takes a lot of effort, but the payoff is significant. Only people capable of remaining focused can expand.

TALENT + FOCUS = TALENT PLUS person

1. Be intentional - make every action count;
Have you asked yourself what you really want to do? And have you determined that you will pursue it against the odds, despite the obstacles, and regardless of the circumstances? "People who are undecided about what they want to do or where they want to go cannot tap into their strength at will or their talent" author.

2. Challenge your excuses;
The author advise that even when our excuses are genuine, letting them to get us off the track is not the solution.

3. Don't let yesterday hijack your attention;
Focusing on yesterday can never result in a better tomorrow. "Too many people yearn for the past and get struck in it instead, they should learn from the past and let go of it".

3. Focus on the present;
Like the author advises against focusing on yesterday, he also suggest that focusing on tomorrow isn't the right thing to do either. He advise, "your focus needs to remain in the area where you have some control - today!"

4. Stay focus on results;
"Anytime you concentrate on the difficulty of the work at hand instead of its results or rewards, you are likely to become discouraged".

6. Develop and follow your priorities.

7. Focus on you strength, not your weakness.

8. Delay rewards until the job is done!

To-Do

1. In what area has lack of focus tapped your energy? Try and find out why.

2. Where have you been putting your focus?

3. From the lists of your talents, try focusing on the ones you have more strength in.

Consider making reward anything(car, book, trip etc) you like.

Hope today's church service was awesome...continue SHIINE'ing'....

SHIINE study: Day 3; Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (review)

initiative activates talent!

Introduction:
Where are you today? What have you done yet with your talent? Like the popular saying, every journey begins with the first step, the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step. The author advises that Talent-plus people don't wait for everything to be perfect to move forward, they understand that momentum is their friend. They take initiative.

Below are reason the author thinks we should take initiative.
1. Initiatives is the first step to anywhere you want to go.
2. Initiatives closes the door to fear.
3. Initiatives opens the door to opportunity
Initiatives ease life's difficulties
5. Initiatives is often the difference between success and failure.

Furthermore, he listed and explained reason why not everyone takes initiatives which are;

1. People who lack initiative fail to see the consequences of inaction:
The author believes that whatever we neglect or procrastinate about will end up catching up with us. We he said, those who never take initiative often end up doing nothing.

2. People who lack initiative want someone else to motivate them:
"Successful people don't need a light fuse to motivate them. Their motivation comes from within" author. The author insist that if you want to get ahead, you need to light your own fire.

3. People who lack initiative look for the perfect time to act;
Acknowledging the importance of timing, the author still advises that it's also worthwhile to endeavor in life's risk. Saying that, "for many people, the tragedy isn't that life ends too soon, it's that they wait too long to begin it.

4. People who lack initiative like tomorrow better than today stating clearly that it's not wise to be waiting on tomorrow while the moment is left unchecked, he quoted Simmy Lyons that, "tomorrow is the only day in the year that appeals to a lazy man" he warns, "the idea of tomorrow often hold false promises".

TALENT + INITIATIVE = TALENT-PLUS initiative.

Here are suggestion by the author to help you as you strive to become a talent-plus person in this area.

1. Accept responsibilities of your life:
Starting with the words of the greek philosopher Socrates, the author writes, "to move the world we must first move ourselves". Not denying the fact that responsibilities and initiatives are inseparable, he warns that even when we are faced with all obstacles that we need to show initiative anyway.

2. Examine your reason for not initiating:
What made you quit? Was that the right thing at that moment? In Mencius words, the author writes, "if your deeds are unsuccessful, seek the reason in yourself. When your own person is correct, the whole world will turn to you".

If your reason are excuses (blaming someone or something), you really need to eliminate them. Once done, you can turn your attention to the reasons and how to overcome them.

3. Focus on the benefit of completing the task:
When your eyes is constantly on the glory, you will be willing to pass through the story. Like the author said, "focus on what you will get out of it(task) if you get it done, this will help you jump the hump".

4. Share your goals with a friend who will help you.
"Like we discuss about fire-lifters in the previous chapter, the author suggest that you talk to someone(who of course is a fire-lighter). Accepting the fact that it can be risky, but again said those risks are worth taking. Fire-lighters will help you take initiatives.

5. Break large task down to smaller ones:
Divide it by categories, prioritize it by importance, order it by sequence, assign it by ability and accomplish it by team work.

6. Allocate specific time to tasks you procrastinate:
Scheduling a specific time for something you don't like doing, the author believes will help overcome the difficulty of not starting that thing.

7. Remember preparation includes doing:
In all, the writer stated in Micheal E. Angier words, "ideas are worthless. Intentions have no power. Plans are nothing...unless they are followed with action. Do it now".

To-Do
1. List the reason why you don't display greater initiative. Mark each entry with E(excuse) or R(reason). Try and eliminate E!
2. What causes you to procrastinate?
3. Think about something you strongly desire to do but are currently afraid of.
4. What are you currently neglecting that is preventing your talent from becoming activated? Try using the no 5 of Talent-plus steps!

Remember, you are my HOPE. Trust me, I trust that you are great...start today, tomorrow might be late. Keep SHIINE'ing'...

SHIINE study; Day 2 Talent is never enough by John Maxwell (Book review)

Introduction
"What carries people to the TOP? What makes them take risks, go extra miles and do whatever it takes to achieve their goals? It isn't talent. It's PASSION. Passion is more important than a plan. Passion creates fire" Author

Hitting the nail hard, the author in a few sentences with questions defines the importance of passion in ones' life. Like he said, "they (passionate people) keep going and make most of whatever talent they possess...with their limited talent, they can outcome a passive person who possess greater talent because they act with boundless enthusiasm...they keep going".

He stated and enlighten on what passion can really do they include;

1. Passion is the first step to achievement
Revealing the truth, the author says that it's difficult to achieve when you don't have the desire to do so. When you don't like what you are doing, it really shows no matter how hard you try to pretend it doesn't.

2. Passion increases willpower
Popular saying suggest that where there is a will, there is always a way. According to the author, what we accomplish in life is base less on what we want and more on how much we want it.

3. Passion produces energy
Strongly, the author believes this like he puts it, "when you have passion, you become energized. You don't have to produce perseverance; it's naturally present is you".

4. Passion is the foundation for excellence
"Passion can transform someone from average to excellent". Author

5. Passion is the key to success
With passion especially is human case, the author believes impossible is evictable. He believes that the ones who wins aren't the most talent ones but the ones whose passion speaks with their talents.

6. Passion makes a person contagious
Quoting Eleanor Doan, the author writes, "you can't kindle a fire in any other heart until it's burning within your own". Paraphrasing, the author says that it's passion that inspires people.

TALENT + PASSION = TALENT-PLUS person

1. Prioritize your life according to your passion.
"People who have passion but lacks prioritizes are like individuals who find themselves in a lonely log cabin deep in the woods on a cold snowy night and then light a bunch of small candles and place them all around the room. They don't create enough light to help them seen nor do they produce enough heat to keep them warm...but people who have passion with priorities are like those who stack the wood, light the fire and enjoy the light and heat that it produces" author

The author predicts that priotizing our life can be risky, it requires a major realignment in our works and private life but then he asked, "which is preferably, to live with the pain of risk or the pain of regret"?

2. Protect your passion
The author advises that since there is a tendency for a light to go out, so also is our passion hence we always need to feed it and protect it. In this view, he mentioned the two kind of people; the FIRE-FIGHTERS who are out to destroy your passion and the FIRE-LIGHTERS, they will help you keep your fire hot.

Books, tapes and environments can too become fire-fighters or fire-lighters but it's always our choice but remember we are the product of those choice.

3. Pursue your passion with everything you 've got
Like Rudy Ruettiger observed, "if you really really, believe in your dream, you 'll get there. But you have to have passion and total commitment to makes it happen. When you have passion and commitment, you don't need a complex plan. Your plan is your life is your dream".

The author believe that your passion has the potential to provide you energy far beyond the limitations of your talent. In the end, you will be remembered for your passion. It is what will energize your talent. It's what will empower you to make your mark.

To-Do
1. Make a list of fire-fighters and stop every relationship.
2. Think about key fire-fighters in your life, both past and present and make time to spend time with the present ones.
3. Spend some time identifying the top priorities in your life.
4. Compare the no 3 with your talent from chapter 1 align them.
5. Aim to become a fire-lighters.

Stay tuned for more. Keep SHIINE'ing' friend....