Developing Your Unique Winning Strategy – 2

Frank Shines proposed a seven components formula called (PAR+KASH): Purpose, Actions (Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits), and Results. 

 First is your Purpose. Why are you here? What assignment were you sent from your Creator? Get this clear, in my quest for the understanding of the subject of purpose, I came across quite a number of self-help books but I need to tell you the truth that you can’t determine your purpose by yourself! Self-help books can’t help in this. Purpose is more than defining your governing values and engaging only in activities related to your dreams. I need to tell you that for the mere fact that you did not create yourself, then it’s only your Creator that can give an exact purpose for your existence. Every successful man in the Bible had a purpose for existence. They did not come up with one for themselves (I don’t intend to take this too far because I’m going to do a post on “Purpose” very soon). Your purpose; the very reason for your existence is what stands you out from the crowd. John the Baptist need not compete with Jesus because John understood purpose (John 1: 19-27). Apostle Paul knew very well that though he was sent on evangelism, he is not sent to everybody but the Gentiles (Gal. 1:15-16). Even when it appears that your purpose and that of some else looks alike, Apostle Paul will arise and tell you that he was only a “planter” while Pastor Apollos was a “waterer” (1 Cor. 3:6) in the Gentiles soul winning business.  Your purpose gives you a sense of uniqueness. You only work at your own pace and standards. You will be at peace (provided that you’re performing) with the feat you’re achieving without headache about what your neighbour is doing.  

Next is Actions, comprised of four parts: Knowledge: What you know; Attitude: How you feel about what you know; Skills: What you have; and Habits: What you do with what you have. Let’s roll! 

1. Knowledge. What you know

                     “….my people perish for lack of knowledge” – Hosea 4:6  (a)     Knowledge of the psychology of change for individuals, organizations, industries and nations. The world is changing very fast and many people are unable or unwilling to adapt. Don’t let that be you. (b)     Knowledge of Web 2.0 Business models. According to Wikipedia, Web 2.0 is a phrase coined by O’Reilly Media which refers to “a perceived second generation of web-based services—such as social networking sites, wikis, communication tools and folksonomies—that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users”. In simple terms, Web 2.0 tools make it cheaper, faster and easier to do many daily personal and work related tasks, and then to share what we have done with anyone in the world at no cost (in most cases). (c)      Web 2.0 knowledge: knowledge of blogs, Wikis, tagging, intuitive and interactive user interface design, RSS (real simple syndication), mobile devices, open source, web-based learning, mashing up and re-mixing, web-based apps, rich internet application (RIA), the long tail, the Pareto principle, the use of interactive websites. (d)     Knowledge of foreign locations, cultures and histories. 

1. Attitude. How you feel about what you know. 

(a)     Boundless curiosity; always looking for great ideas whenever you can find                       them. Answer this question: Which is better – to just fold your arms, wait and let things happen to you, or take the initiative and go on the offensive and actualize what you desire? (b)     Humor, optimism and humility. (c)      A genuine caring for others; sensitivity.  “The rules for work are changing. We are being judged by a new yardstick, not just how we are or our expertise, but how well we handle ourselves and each other”              - Daniel Goleman (author of Emotional Intelligence) (d)     Greater work ethic vs. entitlement or victimization. (e)      Always be willing to learn… non defensive. (f)      Two-way interactive learning, not passive absorption. (g)      Think sharing, not hoarding. One man gives and he increases and another hoards unnecessarily and come to a ruin- Proverb. Read Eccl. 11:1-2 (h)     Interest in different languages and culture; openness and tolerance engaging and welcoming others who are different. (i)      Trusting users; comfort with interactive prototyping (get “stuff”) in front of the customers and improve it quickly based on their feedback.(j)       Comfort with ambiguity, change & urgency (think speed, speed, speed) (k)    Truly thinking global (e.g. thinking 24×7, not 9-5; follow the Sun mentality. Reach out and develop overseas relationship.         3. Skills. What you have. (Your gifts, talents, capabilities)                                     “At creation, certain things were deposited inside of you to make you a success on planet earth. There is something inside in your nature that is able to terminate all your pressures in life. Until you know it, your struggle continues. The treasure is what I call Talent” – Dr. David Oyedepo                   (a)  Persuasion, negotiation and selling skills.                 (b) Ability to learn quickly, simplify the complex and communicate it effectively to others.                  (c)  Good business sense and political awareness.                  (d) Creative thinking and problem solving.                  (e) Process analysis and improvement capabilities.                  (f) Quantitative, financial and investing skills. 

                 (g) Change leadership capabilities; how to get people and organizations to    change.

                 (h) Communication and listening skills.

                 (i) Global teaming skills; ability to work through online collaborative networks   and web meetings.                  (k) Analysis and synthesis skills (ability to take apart and put back together)                   (l) Higher level of technical, cultural and geographical literacy.                  (m) Interactive vs. passive learning skills.                  (n) Some basic ability in designing your own website, blog, wiki, etc.                                               to be contd

Developing Your Own Winning Strategy

Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. So he ran ahead and climbed up into sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way.– Luke 19:1- 4 (NKJV)

Right from the fall of mankind in the Garden of Eden, the issue of limitation in ability came into place. And every now and then, man keeps embarking on means of managing and overcoming his seemingly unending challenges. 

I remembered a course we were taught in my final year in the university. The introduction of the course involved the study of the need of shelter for mankind. It included the need to protect himself from atmospheric conditions such as heat, rain, cold, hostile neighbors, enemies, ferocious animals as well as the quest for privacy. 

A clear picture of what the first house ever built looked like may not be readily available, but you will agree with me that considering when you were born and now, building and construction technology keeps evolving day after day. As former structures are unable to meet the demands of its owners or occupants, the structures are pulled down and new ones are built. 

Through a constant or rather continuous re-invention of the wheel, technologies with limitations keep giving way to newer ones. The challenges that a technology may be facing today may be virtually nowhere to be found when the technology was made. Since man’s wants and life’s challenges are unending, there must be a continuously evolving well developed means to meet up. Software engineers understand better, that is why you can have up to four SP (Service Packs) for a single operating system before the release of a new operating system. 

In the Bible passage we are considering, the man Zacchaeus has to do with a limitation; his physical shortness. Take note of the word “physical shortness” because I’m more than convinced that he is not short on the inside. On the fateful day, Chief Zacchaeus had the interest to see who Jesus was. I’m terribly convinced that his goal getting spirit was at work that day. But the challenges before him were in two phases; one, he is short, two; there was a large crowd. 

Recently, I came across a Bible story illustration book for children; Out On A Limb by Marilyn Lashbrook. It has

Help! We Are Wannabes

           When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gadarenes, there met Him two demon possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”  Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. So the demons begged Him, saying, “If  You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”  And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. And behold, the whole city came to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.” - Matt 8:28-34

There are two interesting things about this story. One, the people wanted a solution to the nuisance, but they also wanted to save their pigs. Two, the demons aren’t willing to leave the country (verse 29); they obviously found the Gadarenes a cheap prey.

 You will agree with me that Nigeria appears a nation populated with people of the same mindset as the Gadarenes. We don’t want to be confronted with behavioural changes nor problems. We want deliverance without disturbance. We want benefits without footing bills. We want success without sweat and sacrifice. Harvest without sowing. We are Namans wanting cleansing but loathing a bath in the Jordan River. 

Every Nigerian university undergraduate wants at least a 2.1 without a clear cut resolve early in the university to pay for it. Foolish wasting of time in social or spiritual pursuit is prominent rather than heavy investment into academic goals. Excessive midnight phone calls, club partying, fellowship activities etc is more common compare to aggressive study (I was once guilty).

 While in my final year in the university, a 100L guy lost his spinal cord in an accident while returning from a club party. The reckless driver and other occupants (all students) had no single injury. Our poor friend passed on while his colleagues were writing their exams. We keep talking about stable power supply as obtainable in neighbouring developing countries but we don’t pay the bills of the available epileptic supply. I’m aware of over billing and low voltage on the part of the supply authority, but I hope someone will be courageous to start an NGO on Consumers Right Protection (will it be you?). 

We cry foul play about bad roads, poor medical facilities, lack of potable water, schools without adequate facilities (in some cases dilapidated) or non at all etc, yet we don’t pay taxes. Majority of the taxpayers are civil servants whose taxes will have been deducted before they receive payment. I’m quite convinced that if they have means to evade payment, they won’t think twice about that option.

 Good governance and visionary leadership is our common cry. Yet through our so-called independent electoral commission and political parties, we field candidates of questionable characters at elections and then, we plunge headlong into massive rigging of election result in their favour provided that their party is the ruling or popular party and they can settle electorates at the polling booth with “peanut”. It’s quite unfortunate and discouraging that those of us who are educated and enlightened don’t participate in voting. We leave electioneering in the hands of touts, rogues and street urchins and consequently suffer the rule of fools. 

Accident free highway is our collective anticipation, yet our drivers must intoxicate (cigarette, alcohol etc) themselves before driving. A lot of them don’t even possess driving particulars and most that have one would not have being eligible to drive if they had undergone specified driving tests. I recently read in a national newspaper about a crippled lady who has a driving license in her possession. Even if one must be issued for her, the class of license she was reportedly holding is not for people with disabilities. 

A decent and corruption free police system is our yearning. But we don’t think and act on policies that will ensure a good welfare package for them, no special education package for their children, the barracks where they live is no better than refugee camps, no constant supply of new and sophisticated arms to combat crime. Yet we have a yearning. 

Year in, year out, our indigenous companies go bankrupt not because of poor management neither inadequate manpower nor technical incompetence but unfavourable competition with imported items. Porous borders, irregular power supply (leading to dependence on generator to run big factories), continuous increase of fuel price (making it hard to keep to budget and promised ROI to shareholders) and poor government policies to discourage importation of goods that are in production locally. 

On individual basis, let’s think about the “pigs” we must let go in our life if we really want to achieve what we’ve dreamt of in this New Year . Don’t tell me you’ve got no dream. Indiscipline, laziness, poor reading culture, poor communication and writing skills, hard drugs, lawlessness, immoral practices, internet fraud, premarital sex etc are all pigs that must be let go if you really wannabe your dream.

 One of Benjamin Franklin’s favourite sayings was; “There is no gain without pain”. The great goal of becoming what you are capable of becoming can only be achieved by the willingness to pay the price. The price always involves sacrifice, discomfort, perseverance and stick-to-it-tivity. 

“Every dream has a price” – Arnold Schwarzeneger 

We’ve got no alternative route! Happy New Year.

Unfolding the New Nigeria

Hi Visitors,Find below the formal invitation to the New Nigeria Club launch coming up on New Year day culled from www.deoluakinyemi.com 

Someone called me today, and said…”Deolu, pele, you must be over over busy, I can see you have not updated your site in quite a while”, the reality is, I have been extremely busy, but busy doing good things and we have had a lot of good news in the past few days.

Before I feed you with the details of the good news, let me use this opportunity to invite all my friends and visitors on www.deoluakinyemi.com to the official launch of New Naija Club, aka New Nigeria Club, on the 1st of January, 2008; 3:00pm-5:00pm at the Ballmoral Hall, Kudirat Abiola Way, Oregun, Ikeja Lagos. This is an opportunity for you, not only to start out your new year on a powerful note, but to be part of a great new beginning for Nigeria.

 The New Nigeria Club has been in it’s prelaunch phase for 4 weeks now, and the response has been phenomenal. It has left people wondering what else is there to launch as they feel it’s launched already. But you just make yourself available on the 1st of January, and it will become quite clear to you, that we haven’t started at all.Key features of the January 1 event include short bursts about the New Nigeria by Prof Pat Utomi, Niyi Adesanya, Fela Durotoye, Gbenga Sesan, Rev (Mrs) George, and my humble self (Adeolu Akinyemi). It’s also featuring Sound Sultan, and some budding musical artists. Based on agreements to partnership we have secured with law enforcement agents, we’ll be having short talks from representatives of EFCC and the Nigeria Police Force.

Come January 1, we’ll also be unveiling the mega bank, that has entered into big time partnership with the New Nigeria Club. As I write, we are also concluding negotiations on getting representations from the Federal Government, Ministry of Youth and Sport and National Orientation Agency and the Lagos State Government.

One outstanding thing I have observed in the last 4weeks of NNC prelaunch is favour. Every organization we have gone to meet, every agency we have enlisted the support of, and every organization we have sought to partner with have responded in the affirmative. I called the MD of a bank I have no relationship with and he gave me an immediate appointment, everything we need is just surfacing one way or the other, it’s been awesome.

Guess there is nothing you can do to an idea whose time has come. One other thing that has dazed me is how some organizations hear the idea and suddenly begin to suggest ways to support us to blow the idea bigger than we are seeing it. It is really true that in the beginning of any sustainable epidemic, the first buyers and carriers of the vision are either visionaries, innovators or salesmen.

Next year is a few days ahead, and my calendar for the year is almost filled. Is it the Abuja event that promises to host the president? Is it the planned meeting by the police force for us to see and address about 25,000 police officers? Or is it the fully sponsored events in the 36 states of NIgeria? Or is it the fact that one organization is showing their willingness to sponsor thousands of Nigeria Students to join the club with an option of giving employment based on the clubs recommendation? Or is it a reality show that is featuring top Nigerian artistes and training them to be New Nigeria ambassadors? Next Year is Loaded, and it can be for you too. Start the Year on a high note… Join New Nigeria Club today…. and come for January 1 event and invite your friends… RSVP

The Strand I Could Not Fix

Like fog in the morning, the spirit of Christmas had vanished. Still, I shuffled in the garage. One by one, I retrieved the bins I’d stored the previous Christmas. While the aroma of sugar cookies wafted through the air and Silent Night played in the background, I began the decorating.

Placing the nativity scene as the focal point of our family room, I spread the rest of the decorations around the house: red and green candles, musical boxes with winter scenes, and bright red poinsettias framed with green garland adorned with burgundy, velvet bows. They all transformed our home into a lively winterland.

Next, I retrieved three stockings to fill the marked places above the fireplace; each embroidered with our sons’ names: Jason, Jeff, and Joe . Once Jason and Jeff’s were hung, with tears burning my eyes, I clutched Joe ’s against my chest.

The empty stocking sears my heart. It’s been five years since the Lord called Joe home. Five years that Joe ’s absence left an emptiness we can almost touch. And five years that God’s grace wiped away portions of the grief that flogged our hearts. But often, it’s the scorching pain that opens our eyes to a bigger picture.

Years ago, when our three sons, including Joe , were still young, I focused on providing a perfect Christmas; a perfect tree to wrap a perfect celebration. As a result, little things tended to roil in me such as a light strand that refused to shine because of a burned bulb. Annoyed at the glitch, I promptly set off to resolve it -I fussed, I rearranged, plugged and unplugged until frustration grew hot in me.

How foolish and silly. I focused on that one bulb, dismissing the glow of the star atop the Christmas tree. I’d done the same with light bulbs that burned in my life-from broken relationships to shattered plans. Exerting tons of energy trying to fix them, I missed the star– the one that gave significance to my life.

When that void in our heart aches to be filled, it’s the star of comfort that makes it whole. When bitter sorrow robs the spirit of Christmas, it’s the star of His genuine love that whispers joy. When a health diagnosis shakes our world, it’s the star of reassurance that shines the certainty of new tomorrow’s. It’s the same star that never loses the brilliance of hope, incomprehensible hope, one we can only embrace when all strands of life burn out.

With eyes focused on the star, I hang Joe ’s stocking along with his brothers’; not empty anymore-but filled with sweet memories–his wit, laughter, his hugs and kisses.

For that reason, God called it His “Morning Star” to dispel our darkness, dry our tears and repair strands we cannot fix.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janet Perez Eckles is an author and national speaker.