It’s a new year.

I celebrate you for making it…against all odds.

Some people started the last year but did not see the end of the year.

You probably know one or two of such people.

We do not spite them in any way because we realize that some of them were smarter, stronger and even more spiritual than many of us.We are only alive because God spared our lives.He spared our lives because He still has a significant role for us to play in His Masterplan.

It is important to keep this poignant thought in view so that we do not become conceited and take the favor of God for granted.It is also necessary to cherish this new year as God’s special gift to us such that we make the most of it.

I’d quickly share 11 simple secrets with you.

I am optimistic that they will help you become super-successful this year and in the years to come.

1. Put God First.

It is important to PUT GOD FIRST.

There are two sides to this:

First, start your day with Him.

I realize that we lead very busy lives.We have a tendency to wake up with a start, rush into the bathroom and dart off  to work.We seldom make out time for GOD in the morning.

One of the secrets of Jesus was that He woke up early every morning and spent time with God.

Little wonder he worked so many miracles.

Martin Luther got it right. He said, “I am very busy today, I have to take out the first three hours to pray.

When we make out time for God in the morning, He makes ways for us all through the day.

The second side to this, is to START EVERY PROJECT WITH GOD in mind.

Too many people revert to God only after they hit a brick wall. You don’t have to get into that cycle.

God is not a spare tire we employ once in a while. He is the steering wheel we engage all the time.

When you start with God, you can rest assured that everything will turn out just fine.

The wisest man who ever lived, King Solomon said “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.In all your ways, acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.”

2.Let Yourself Go.

The past is always trying to make it into the future.

Unfortunately, it often succeeds ever so often.

It’s a new year…chronologically but for so many people it’s really an old year with a new date.

The only thing that has changed is the calender.Nothing else.

They are bogged in the quagmire of yesteryear’s pains, plights and problems.

Some are on a leash of unforgiveness.

Others are fettered by bitterness and incarcerated in the room of regret.

Their attachment to yesterday’s failures and sometimes, successes, prevents them from launching into a future prosperity and bliss.

It is important to let yourself off any hook that is keeping you from reaching for the bright future God has designed for you.

If you suffered some setbacks last year, press on.Better days are ahead.

If you recorded staggering success, press on.Better days are ahead.

There’s always a better day ahead.Each of the 365 days of this year presents  exciting opportunities for growth.

Don’t rob yourself.

Let yourself Go.

3.Overcome Inertia.

You have heard the saying, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

That is true.

Unfortunately, the first step is usually the most difficult to take.

We are often bombarded with a plurality of  “reasons” to remain where we are.

It is comfortable to conform.

We do not like to stick out like a sore thumb.

We do not want to be the sacrificial lambs.

We do not want to be the scape goats, so we just “hold our peace” and stay in our comfort zones.

That may seem like a smart decision, but only for a short while.Soon, it becomes clear that we must be willing to stick out our necks if we must wear the medal of greatness.

Even the snail knows that it must stick out it’s neck in order to make progress.

Cowards conform.

Heroes don’t conform, they conquer.

You are not a coward.Don’t conform this year.Don’t conform to man made limitations.

Stretch. Reach out. Overcome inertia.

You are a hero.Conquer!

There are eight other secrets I’d share with you so watch out for the next part of this blog post.

P.S: It’s always a pleasure reading your comments and answering your questions so if you have any, leave them in the box below.

P.P.S: Have a Productive and Prosperous Year.

Today has been a very demanding yet interesting day.

It started very early.May be a little too early because it started yesterday.

Now that sounds ridiculous but I mean my day started yesterday.

Here’s what happened-I had a vigil last night and I didn’t have the opportunity to catch my breath before traveling down to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, Osun state this morning.

Thankfully, the trip from Lagos to Ibadan lasted for almost four hours and I was able to sleep for two hours and about thirty minutes but as you may have guessed, that was not sufficient considering the fact that I had done so much the day before and I had a full day ahead.

My assignment was simple but not necessarily easy-it was to  host the BEYOND IFE event for this year-a personal development training designed to empower students with tools and techniques for success beyond the four walls of the University.

As the host, I had to compere and give direction to the entire event.

Of course, that meant I had to be alert throughout the event.

It kicked off at about 10:30am-over  an hour behind schedule (due to changes in venue and a few other glitches) but it was well worth it.

The speakers laced their presentations with practical insights and humour.

The students were eager to learn and they asked intelligent questions.

I had the opportunity to increase my knowledge base and I’d just like to share a few things I wrote in my notepad during the event today.

Some of these things might just be what you need to read or remember to TAKE THAT GIANT LEAP.

Some of these sentences may seem so simplistic until you take a second look.

• Life doesn’t reward you based on what you propose.
• Don’t wait to be taught.Go ahead and learn.
• Your development is your responsibility.
• In Nigeria, we are schooled, not educated.
• Just because you have tools, doesn’t mean you know how to use them.
• Sight is the greatest hindrance to focus.
• Expect more…Pray for more…Plan for more…Do more.
• You have no control over your background but what happens in the future depends on what you do today.
• You are the best if you think you are.
• Companies only offer you a maximum of 25% of the value you are adding as an employee.
• Passion is contagious.
• Financial freedom is when your income when you are asleep is equal to or greater than your expenses when you are awake.
• In the first 3 years of any business, you will go through the learning curve.
• 35 years work experience as an employee doesn’t pass for 35 years experience as an entrepreneur.
• Wisdom is your ability to prepare today for a future you can’t see to day.
• What you do is as good as when you do it.
• Weeds grow naturally.It doesn’t take effort for things to decay but it takes effort for them to be preserved.
• Questions are the answers.
• If you expect nothing, you get nothing.
• If your goal is set, your future will develop it.
• Your expectations put your life on a course where everything that happens in your environment favors you.
• Albert Einstein said “Our imagination is a preview of our life’s attractions.”
• Comfort is the enemy of achievement.
• If you are comfortable with where you are, you do not qualify for more.
• Where there is no drive, failure is guaranteed.

There are a whole lot of other things I could share with you about the day but the truth is my eyes are getting heavier and I need to rest now.

OOOPS…I’ve done it again.It’s already another day.

I’d talk to you later.

Five years from now, you will remain the way you are except for one thing-YOUR ASSOCIATIONS.

This is two-fold:the COMPANY YOU KEEP and the COMPANY YOUR MIND KEEPS.

Simply put, your relationships determine the information you get and use.Similarly the information you have and apply will determine your development and advancement in life.

I am so excited to share this piece of information that will change your life… forever.

Over the next ten days, you will have the privilege of attending two events that will change the quality of your thoughts and consequently the quality of your life.

The first is called AVENUES TO WEALTH.

It is a WEALTH EMPOWERMENT event that will equip you with practical tips to fast-track your movement to your desired financial destination.

The main speaker is a spectacular gentleman called Dolf De Roos.

If you are an avid student of personal development and wealth creation, you must have heard about him or read one of his 15 best-selling books.

He worked with Robert Kiyosaki for years and wrote a book on real estate in the Rich Dad’s Advisor series. He has taught real estate at Tony Robbins’ Wealth Mastery, has been a professor of real estate at the University of North Texas, and is a distinguished member of the faculty at Trump University. Furthermore, his teachings have gone beyond real estate to wealth creation in general, with courses including the “Wealth Magnet” and the “Psychology of Creating Wealth”.

Although born in New Zealand, Dolf de Roos started kindergarten in Europe, and went on to attend school in a variety of countries. This early introduction to travel no doubt contributed to his present propensity to move around. Today, speaking six languages and holding business interests in a number of regions, he considers himself a citizen of the world.

He is in Nigeria for the first time as I write and you have the rare privilege of watching him live!

The details of his appearances in Nigeria this week are in the table below.

Ensure that you attend at least one of the sessions of the AVENUES TO WEALTH events.

Now let me tell you about the second event that you can’t afford to miss.

It’s my PRIVATE WORKSHOP and Luncheon.

If you read my last write-up, you’d remember that I postponed it and I promised to announce a new date.

Well, I’m delighted to let you know that the new date is August 14, 2010.

It’s a saturday and I’ll be spending time with you and 13 other people between 12 noon and 4pm.

This time, it won’t be about EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION.
We’d be talking about EFFECTIVE NETWORKING, INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AND TEAMWORK.

It’s going to be FOUR hours of FUN, FUTURE-ORIENTATION and FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Yes, we are going to have a lot to eat…and drink.We’d have fun playing a game or two.

So keep your calender open and be sure to tell your friends.

I’m really looking forward to seeing you sometime at AVENUES TO WEALTH this week and at MY EXCLUSIVE WORKSHOP AND LUNCHEON next week saturday.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION ABOUT EITHER OF THESE EVENTS OR YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION, KINDLY FILL IN THE COMMENT BOX BELOW AND I’LL RESPOND QUICKLY.

Stay where you belong-On TOP!

February went by so fast.

I guess it was because I had so much to do.

At the beginning of the month, I had my to-do list.

At the end of the month, I had ticked off almost everything on that list.

That gladdened my heart.

I was in Badagry once.

Abia state on two ocassions.

Different parts of Lagos every week…meetings…seminars…conferences…

What was I doing?

Great question!

I was doing what I was born to do…empower my generation to be all that God wants us to be.

I was preaching…teaching…speaking…training…facilitating meetings…writing…granting interviews…sharing what I know…what I have learned over the years.

Life’s greatest joy lies in our contribution to other lives.

It feels great to make a difference for good.

Are you making a difference in someone’s life?

Just like February, March is flying by so fast.

Before you know it, it’s going to be April, then May…June…July…September…December…2011…

Phew!

What’s my point?

“There’s no time.”

Well, there is time but there’s no time to waste.

I believe that we have enough time for what we NEED to do but we don’t have enough time to do all that we WANT to do.

We have enough time for what we were born to do but we don’t have enough time for all we wish to do.

Everyday, different things and people are contending for your attention…fighting for your time.

So what are you going to do?

You can’t attend to everything or even everyone.

You have to make the right choices.

That’s the struggle I face everyday.

I bet you have a similar experience.

Whatever you do, do what you were born to do or it would have been better if you were never born.

Ouch…

P.S: It’s my birthday this month and I have some special offers for you.Stay Tuned.

I’ve had a very busy week.

I was at my sisters’ introduction on sunday after preaching in the morning.

I travelled back to Lagos on Monday.

Had a series of meetings and spoke at The Rock Foundation Mission on Tuesday.

Attended my sister’s Court Registry wedding on Wednesday.

Dealt with a few business issues on Thursday.

Was privileged to attend an auspicious occasion with my mentor on Friday.

I haven’t had as much time to rest as I would love but in the midst of all the activities and engagement, I haven’t forgotten to laugh.

I have seized every opportunity to laugh.

Different people have different pastimes,.Laughing is one of mine.

I laugh at jokes.I laugh at some jokes that are not even funny.

I laugh to myself…sometimes at myself.

I avoid this but let me confess, sometimes I laugh at people.(Please don’t tell anybody-good thing is I laugh at you with you, not behind your back…)

Some weeks somebody saw me laughing and asked if I had just won a lottery or if my wife just had a baby.(Just for the records, I’m still single as at June 12, 2009)

A few days ago, my brother said something that made me laugh.He didn’t think it was that funny so he said,”o ma an rerin gan sha” which means you sure do laugh a lot.

Well, it’s not like I laugh 24 hours a day.That would mean I’d be so busy laughing that I wouldn’t have time to live.

I don’t laugh 24 hours a day but I do my best to laugh as often as I can.

King Solomon said, “A merry heart doeth good like medicine.”

This probably explains one of the reasons I haven’t used medication in over ten years.(Well, except you vitamin C in that category).I say this to the glory of God.

Too often, we get caught up in the tension of everyday life that we forget to keep our hearts merry and our lives joyful.We forget that we need the oil of joy for the engines of our emotions to perform optimally.We focus so intently on what we are yet to receive and forget to celebrate and thank God for what He has given us so far.

So let me ask you, “Are you too busy to laugh?”

When was the last time you had a really good laugh.I’m not talking about a complimentary smile to pacify a friend who just shared a joke.I’m talking about heartfelt,rib-cracking laughter that brings unsolicited tears of joy to your eyes.That may lengthen your life bey a few days, weeks, months or who knows, years!

Don’t say there’s nothing to laugh about.You bet there is…even if the only reason to laugh is that there’s no reason to laugh.(Does that make sense?)

Do yourself a huge favor, brighten your life with joy and let your laughter bring hope to somebody around you.

I hope I’ve been of help.

If you are still frowning, it could be I’ve done a bad job or you are just…

Meanwhile I have a gift for you here.