Be True

More than a few people have asked me recently whether or not I'll be writing another political piece soon. Indeed when I received a message from a good friend of mine yesterday evening asking me why there hasn't been a political article from my end recently I was mightily tempted to plough straight into one. But alas, my spirit directed me to do something else - just for you.

I don't usually watch The X Factor (way too scripted and formulated for me), but I thank God I watched last Sunday's final. Three of the guest singers / bands on the show were Rod Stewart - still so marvellously successful in his 70s, Adele - who continues to soar to unimaginable heights of popularity and achievement (heavens me she has a voice!), and Cold Play - in my opinion Britain's most authentic and successful band of the past decade.

All of them - Rod Stewart, Adele, and Chris Martin (Cold Play) were separately asked to offer the two finalists some career advice.

They all gave exactly the same advice;

"Always be true to yourself."

In a world wherein we're constantly told how we should look, talk, walk, and what we should be doing (career wise) the temptation to copy others, or simply adhere to societal norms and general expectations is often overpowering. As a result too many dreams are drowned, too many passions suffocated, and way too much authenticity diluted to the point of decimation.

As my good friend Lanre Olusola said to me a while back;

"One of the biggest problems that exists in Nigeria today is that of the Copy-cat Syndrome."

Too many people spend far too much time and energy trying to be like others. The fact of the matter is that the only person that can be a great Mr. Johnson is Mr. Johnson. So why copy him when you already have so much power, talent, and uniqueness inside you to be a great YOU?!

As we approach the end of 2015 I want to encourage you to do two very important things that will not only enable you to have a fulfilled 2016, but also positively change your life forever.

1. Identify who You are

And

2. Identify what You're passionate about

Once you've done the above, map out an effective plan to actualise your true goals - based on your findings.

I'm sure you've heard successful / famous people say "I'm living the dream". What they actually mean is that they're fulfilling what they were created to do.

There are five keys to actualising your dream;

1. Courage
The courage to not only make a start, but to keep going when everything and everyone around you is telling you that it can't be done.

2. Passion
It's your passion that will keep you going when things get tough.

3. Hard work
There's no substitute for hard work. You've got to put in those hours of building Knowledge and Expertise.

4. Focus
Focus on three things.
- who you are
- how you add value
- how to continuously build and develop

5. Dedication and Perseverance
Your success won't come overnight. There will be moments of doubts, failure, and discouragement. But so long as you know and believe in where you're going, never ever give up. The difference between success and failure is not giving up.

There are thousands of people waiting for you to start being who you were created to be. Their needs are fully reliant on your courageous acceptance and embrace of who you are.

Be True To Yourself.


I've just completed the next five editions of my children's book, so the writing side of my brain is about to implode.lol... As such I'll be off air until the second week of January.

What will I be doing?

Probably watching The Force Awakens as many times as is possible.

In the meantime kindly permit me to wish you and your family the very Safest, Best, and most Happy Christmas and New Year.

Happy Happy Happy

In the most acute of shocks, and the grimmest of all horrors I looked on as that Republican candidate - what's his name again? Donald something or other I think (the fact that he's loaded doesn't mean one automatically remembers his name) - anyway I watched on pain of torture as that Donald something or other openly told the world that as president he would ban Muslims from entering the US.

Is this guy for real? So it's now okay for so called leaders of the free world to openly display hatred and animosity towards certain ethnic groups and faiths?  Is this what the world has come to? Has Hitler been reborn? Am I dreaming? - just a few of the questions that plagued my mind as I gawped with eyes and mouth wide open.

But this morning I feel elated. For not only is Donald whatever's desire nigh impossible to implement, but the idiot has played right into the hands of the Democrats; making it so much easier for the colossus that is Hilary Clinton to waltz into her destiny - First Female President of The United States of America. I look forward to her swearing in; and I thank Donald whatever his name is for making her journey to the White House that much easier.

There are two other reasons for my oh-so very happy feeling.

1. Arsenal!!!
What a come-back!! Admittedly I didn't watch the match, as I've discovered during the past year or so that when I don't watch my beloved Arsenal they tend to win - 90% of the time anyway. So as my older brother watched his beloved Chelsea in his sitting room on a cold winter's night I watched Marvel's Agents of Shield season 2 in the family room. But I couldn't help venturing into the sitting room every 10 minutes or so to not only check the Chelsea score but more importantly assess his mood. Such a loving brother is he that he wanted Arsenal to win as much as I did. The big grin on his face every time I sauntered in enabled me to enjoy Marvel's Agents of Shield so much more.
Three nil to the Arsenal. An awesome night.

And finally - do I really need to say this one???

It's been Three Years! Waiting for Three Whole Years!!!

Three years of desperately  trawling the Internet for previews, rumours, gossip, and even the faintest of plot summaries.

Three years of longing for the release of what is for me without doubt the most eagerly anticipated movie all time.

Now fairly familiar with the Knights of Ren, like every other star wars junkie I'm still wondering why Luke Skywalker hasn't featured in any of the trailers. Could he possibly be the founder / head of the Knights of Ren? Or head of the new (First) order maybe?

18th December means just one thing - The Force Awakens.

Thank God for Star Wars

Thank God for the Arsenal

And thank God for that Donald whatever his name is.

Closing Deals

You can be the greatest presenter, communicator, or relationship builder in the galaxy, but if you can't close deals you won't get Sales.‎

Before teaching you this simple technique I need to point out two key pre requisites.

1. Be Confident in who you are, and your product/service's ability to add value.

2. Be very Courageous


There are two stages to closing deals;

1. The Testing Ground

and

2. Slam and Silence

1. The Testing Ground
Before going for the kill you need to confirm whether or not the prospect is serious or not.
There are two questions you can ask that will enable you to know whether someone is serious or not.

A. Ask them what their budget is.
If they have no idea what their budget is, or are strangely reluctant to even give you an estimate then it's fairly likely the prospect is merely dabbling in possibilities, as against making a decision.

B. Ask the prospect when she wants the service to commence.
The serious prospects usually know exactly when they want something to commence.

If the above two questions yield positive results then seal the deal with a 'Slam and Silence'.

Slam
- Re-emphasise the three main benefits to the prospect. Keep this short, simple, and precise.
- Then tell her the price / fee

Silence
Wait for her answer. Do not say another word. Just wait for her answer.

Increase Your Sales In 2016

At this time of year we usually plan for the coming year - drawing up sales plans and strategies that we believe will yield positive results.

But to ensure more success in 2016 try something a little different.

1. Get in touch with previously positive leads / prospects that ended up not yielding the desired results (failed sales) and ask them why they said no.

This will do two things for you:

A. Enable you to better understand their needs and thereby empower you to improve your service offering.‎

B. Enable you to positively engage with them; thereby laying the foundation for more authentic relationships. Remember - a good relationship will always lead to business.

"The difference between a great salesperson and a good salesperson is a great salesperson asks great questions and engages the prospect, while a good salesperson is great at presenting to a prospect."

Sean Burke, CEO, KiteDesk

What Really Matters?

Were you created to be like that seemingly perfect man /woman you see at church every week - or the one that lives across the road - or even the one you see on TV?

Were you created to be super wealthy with many plush properties and luxury cars?
You may very well have been. But it's also possible that you weren't.

We're bombarded by subliminal messages on a daily basis  - more or less telling us that the key to happiness and fulfillment lies in the millions / billions / trillions in our bank accounts.

But what happens when you don't get those millions?

Frustration, anger, resentment, and depression set in.

The irony is the root of your frustration is not so much the missing millions but the simple fact that you're on the wrong path - not doing what you were created to do.

Let's get one thing absolutely clear.

When you're using the talents that God bestowed on you to serve and to add value to the lives of others, it doesn't necessarily mean you'll become a multi millionaire. But be rest assured that God will provide for all your needs.

1. Serving others doesn't mean doing things for free. It means using your talents to provide a service in exchange for fair compensation /remuneration.

2.  People are always willing to pay for Value.

A few days ago someone told me something that made the whole of the past three years so very worthwhile. She said;
‎
"I've just finished reading Home. Wow!! It really made me see God in a different light. And I can't wait to get to heaven. Not that I'm goiing to speed it up or anything, but I now realise this life on earth is nothing compared to an eternity of God's love, joy, and peace."

Whilst writing Home the Lord told me he wanted to use it to enable people to see Him in his true light - a God of Pure and Unconditional Love.

At that very moment, when my friend told me what the book did for her, I felt more happy and fulfilled than ever before.

So what am I saying?
1. Figure out what you were created to do.
2. Draw up a step by step plan of how you're going to do it.
3. Start now

‎
Still wondering what your talents are?
1. List five moments in your life when you achieved something you're very proud of.
2. Identify the talents you used to achieve each one.
‎
Then to confirm, call three close friends or family members that know you well, and ask them what they believe your biggest strengths are.

You weren't created to be like everyone else.
You were created to be you - with specific talents for a specific purpose.
It's time to start being the real you. ‎