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In the first part of this article, I used the on-going world cup as a metaphor.

I emphasized the importance of playing the game of life differently.

It is ludicrous to do things the same way now and again and still expect a different result.

If we desire a different result, we must do things differently.

We cannot afford to just DO THE RIGHT THINGS alone.We must also DO THINGS RIGHT.

I’d like to share a few points with you that will ensure that you achieve better results during the second half of the year.

1.REVIEW the first half of the year.

Life is a continuum.

Every new phase is predicated on an old face.

It is essential to review our performance now and again so that we can improve.

Every great achiever makes out time for self-evaluation.

The great Apostle Peter admonished, “Examine yourselves, whether you still be in the faith…”

IN OTHER WORDS-CHECK YOURSELF SO YOU DON’T WRECK YOURSELF.

What did you do well?

What mistakes did you make?

Who do you need to apologize to?

These are a few of the questions you should ask as part of your evaluation process.

2.RESIST the temptation to quit.

It is possible that things have not turned out the way you planned.

Time seems to have lapsed and your desires are yet to be fulfilled.

Not to worry.

You still have five months and a few weeks ahead.

This is not an invitation to procrastination.It is a word of encouragement.

Resist the temptation to throw in the towel.

Resist the urge to throw tantrums.

Resist the pull of fatigue and press on courageously regardless of past disappointments, delayed gratification and broken promises.

3.RENEW your mind

You spend huge sums of money on your clothes, shoes, food and friends everyday.The question is “How much do you spend on your mind.”

The quality of your life does not depend on the quality of your clothes.It depends on the quality of your thoughts.

That’s why Paul says “I beg you…do not be like everyone else but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

As your wardrobe gets bigger, let your library become larger.

It is your duty that the number of books you read or refer to is constantly more than the number of clothes you have.

What lies within is more precious than what lies without.

Invest in an ipod and listen to life-changing books, teachings, seminars and messages.

This is very important.

I still have a few points to share so watch out for the third part of this article.

Meanwhile, kindly leave your comments below.

I’d love to know what you think.

The world cup has been quite exciting.

I thoroughly enjoyed watching the opening ceremony with all the glitz and glamor.

I am so excited that South Africa has done an excellent job of presenting a more realistic and objective view of Africa to the world.

There’s no denying the fact that the the world cup has had a lot of twists and turns.

Amidst the deafening blast of vuvuzellas, whistles and drumbeats, a lot of unexpected events have happened especially on the field of play.

Teams that were tipped for the trophy have fallen like broken bricks in a tsunami.

Their dreams have been shattered like egg shells.

On the other side of the coin, countries that were hitherto disregarded have now emerged and in some cases, re-emerged as forces to reckon with.

I don’t want to mention names but if you have been following the world cup, you know what I’m talking about.

Well, I may sound like a football enthusiast but this article is not really about soccer, it’s about a much bigger game.

I’m talking about the game of life.

Life has several similarities with the game of football but I’d keep that for another post.

I know it’s easy to criticize football players while you watch from the comfort of your home or office but you need to ask yourself the question,”how many goals have I scored this year?”

The year is already halfway through.

The days are flying by and before you know it, the year would be over.

The least you could do is to take an inventory of your life and identify the areas you need to work on.

I have done that myself and I can tell you that I know what exactly I need to do to make this new half of this year more productive and rewarding than the first.

The truth is that some teams put up an awful performance during the first half but they came up strong and got the victory during the second half.

They played differently.They performed better and they won.

Regardless of how bad things were between January and June, you can still make a difference and accomplish your objectives before the year runs out.

I have identified a few things you could do to make that happen and I’d be sharing that in the next blog post so stick around.

Till then…Enjoy…

If you haven’t read the first part, you can do that here.

Let me give you the other points Dr. Maduka shared.

• Accept that EVERY ENTERPRISE NEEDS PROFFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT.

His words :”When we started, I and my wife made all the decisions but we later realized that we needed to hire professionals to expand our business…”

• Forge a TEAM OF EMPLOYEES.

His words :”Don’t just get a group of people.Get able and willing people who understand your vision and help you to accomplish it.“

• Come up with a STRATEGY FOR WINNING in an unpredictable environment.

His words : “You know the government policies change almost every six months in this our country…we have to always study and come up with ways to win no matter what tthe challenges and policies are.”

• RESIST THE TEMPTATION to show that “you  have arrived.”

His words :”…Even after I had made a lot of money, nobody knew.I kept on living a normal life.I was driving the same car, wearing the same clothes…living in the same house I was living in when I was still struggling…Avoid the social pressure to look successful…this shoe I’m wearing, I have had it for fifteen years.Isn’t it still looking good?”

When he said that, everyone erupted in laughter.

• KEEP TRACK OF ALL THE ACTIVITIES of your organisation.

His words :” Don’t just spend without having proper records.Have the details of everything that goes out and everything that comes in.

• GET YOUR PRODUCT into the market.

His words:” Know your customers and keep in touch with them…”

• ANTICIPATE CHALLENGES

His words :”Problems always show up.You must prepare for them to win”

If you ask me, that’s a lot to think about.So I’d let you do just that.

Think about it.Remember, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT, YOU BRING ABOUT.

Meanwhile, scroll down and leave your comment in the box.

If you haven’t downloaded you copy of just do it…DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE BOOK HERE.

P.S. Dr. and Mrs. Cosmas Maduka have a book titled “From Trials To Triumph”

You can get copies from bookstores nationwide.

Enjoy your day.

I had the privilege of ministering at the chapel of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital on sunday.

It was a wonderful experience, I must confess. It was nice seeing a few folks I hadn’t seen in a while.

I enjoyed the warmth and hospitality of everyone I came in contact with but what gladdens my heart the most is the fact that God counted a little boy like me worthy of being a  blessing to so many people including professors, doctors, specialists, future leaders and other VIPs.

I started by announcing that one of our greatest needs as a nation is the fear of God.

I talked about the importance of fearing God and highlighted some qualities of a God-fearing person.

I gave an acronym…G.I.F.T.

That simply stands for Godliness, Insight, Faithfulness, Truthfulness

I want to add two more attributes of a God-fearing person.

Endurance

Discipline

So you understand what I mean when I say “Are you G.I.F.T.E.D?“

You would agree that these are virtues and values that we must all cultivate and exhibit consciously.

I’m not perfect, neither are you .

I’m a project in progress, so are you…and everyday is an opportunity for us to grow in God’s grace.

Today is a good day to start making a conscious effort to grow in godliness, insight, faithfulness, truthfulness, endurance and discipline.

Commit yourself and when next you are tempted to act out of character, remind yourself that you are G.I.F.T.E.D.

You are a gift to our generation.

Have you ever thought about that?

You are a person of value.You are precious.

You are a treasure chest.You are a miracle in motion.You are a gift to somebody.

No matter how disadvantaged you feel, there is somebody around you who needs you so desperately.

Don’t be so caught up thinking about the things you don’t have that you forget the things our good Lord has blessed you with.Look out for opportunities to enrich somebody.

Always remember Mike Murdock’s words:”What you make happen for others, God will make happen for you.”

Zig Ziglar put it this way:”You will have enough of what you want if only you will help enough people get what they want”

Go out there and be what you are-a gift to somebody.