Contentment: STATE OF THE MIND

I interact with people in different organizations/departments on a daily basis. I can confidently say that there is no greater difference between men than between grateful and ungrateful people. Happiness is not a function of the department or unit you are in. it’s a state of the mind.

I know a couple of individuals who used to complain when they were in department x and 6 months after changing to department y they are still complaining. You cannot be better by becoming bitter. You need to shift away from the complaining mode.

Can you remember how excited and grateful you were when you secured the opportunity you now take for granted? Happy people are upwardly mobile. Opportunities identify them and court them always. You can’t afford to be disgruntled on the job. Be grateful.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought; and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder. If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. There are individuals who work in major oil companies and yet not happy and complain daily.

This season of your life is making certain privileges accessible to you…take advantage of it. Focus on what you can do rather than what you can’t. Gratitude will see us through this great economic meltdown.
I will like you to ponder on the following quotes to increase your gratitude quotient

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, "thank you," that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart

If you have lived, take thankfully the past. ~John Dryden

The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! ~Henry Ward Beecher

Praise the bridge that carried you over. ~George Colman

If you count all your assets, you always show a profit. ~Robert Quillen

He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. ~Epictetus

Gratitude is the best attitude. ~Author Unknown

If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness. It will change your life mightily. ~Gerald Good

Gratitude is the least of the virtues, but ingratitude is the worst of vices. ~Thomas Fuller

There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude. It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance. ~Joseph Addison

Courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest in the grateful and appreciating heart. ~Henry Clay

Who does not thank for little will not thank for much. ~Estonian Proverb

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings. ~Eric Hoffer, Reflections On The Human Condition

We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. ~Cynthia Ozick

Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted. ~Aldous Huxley

When eating bamboo sprouts, remember the man who planted them. ~Chinese Proverb

FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE

“Those who don’t have to watch their spending got their by watching it” - AFRICAN PROVERB
How much you make is not as important has how you spend it. I have come across people who earn approximately the same income but have different standard of living five years down the line. I know we live in a consumer spending driven economy and broad array of products and services are available in the market. I am also aware that it is sometimes difficult to resist the temptation of spending money. You have to be an educated consumer i.e. someone who knows how and when to spend money.
Managing money through budgeting is a proven method of becoming a prudent consumer. There are a whole lot of techniques out there that could be utilized to make the best of your money; they range from the mundane to the sophisticated – it all boils down to common sense. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Here are a few basic techniques for living within your means and curtailing multiple stream of expenditure: BUDGETING TIPS:
 Draw up a budget, stick to it, be prepared to make adjustments in your lifestyle or spending habits and pay yourself first by saving regularly.
 Save through payroll deduction and take advantage of any employer-sponsored savings plan – deferred compensation, retirement accounts, commuter savings program etc. Use a piggy bank to keep your loose change.
 Keep an emergency fund and save any bonus income you earn. Consider whether it is worthwhile to have one or two incomes, if you have childcare expenses.
 Protect your vital assets adequately; home, cars, personal belongings, business, life health etc. – “a stitch in time saves nine”. Carry only one health insurance plan for your family and save on premium payments.
 Car pool when and if possible and use public transportation.
 Learn to do basic repairs or fix simple things in your home, such as decorating, painting, changing light bulbs, etc. the savings would amaze you – check out major home improvement outlets for class schedules.
 Keep lights off when you are not in a room, buy long-lasting energy saving bulbs and appliances – don’t be “fuelish”.
 Conserve and re-circle every material that you can. Use glass instead of paper cups.
 Pack your own lunch as often as possible and cut down on meals away from home. Buy in bulk if discounts are offered. Minimize on snacks or "junk food”.
 To stay healthy, develop good health habits and consider the cost of addictions. Learn to take temperature, pulse and respiration. Learn about symptoms of common diseases to determine whether to see a doctor or not.
 Learn to gift sensibly - give of your time and assets or merchandise when possible instead of always giving cash. It’s not compulsory you buy the aso ebi of every dick, tom and harry. Learn to say no to what you can’t afford.
 Set reasonable amounts for children's allowances and encourage them to save – let prudence be a family habit early enough. Watch your credit limit.

Prudent Man-Prototype Budget
Total Income – 100k (100%)
Savings- 10k (10%)
CHARITY/Giving – 10k (10%)
Transportation- 10K (10%)
Housing- 10k (10%)
Sustenance- 30 (30%)
Investment - 20 (20%)
Continuous education- 10k
Above is the budget of a certain individual. This is what guides his consumption pattern per time. Once any demand is more than the budget for that sector in his life, he either delays it or forfeits it. There's a saying that "you can't help but think about the future because you are going to spend the rest of your life there".
The best time to identify a real investor is during economic meltdown or recession. Investors are consistently buying shares and acquiring real estate. Every month consistently invest without looking at the short term returns. In two decades your financial genius will be evident to all.

ADEOSUN OLUYEMI

EARLY GOAL!

EARLY GOAL!
“According to statistical research conducted on the National Football League (NFL), what percentage of teams who score first win the game? My guess was 50%. We’ve all read about quarterbacks who have led their teams from behind to win the game. We’ve heard sportscasters discuss how many points are scored in the last two minutes of the half or at the end of the game.
So, I thought about 50% was accurate. Wrong! The statistics claim that 75% of the time a team scores first, they win the game! (No, of course I can’t verify this. I heard it while driving to Zig’s office one morning. But, the guys at ESPN Radio wouldn’t lie to me…) I’m thinking, if teams score early in the game, like say in the first quarter, then they are more likely to achieve their objectives”. zig ziglar newsletter

One way to fast track your progress this season is to score an early goal. Achieve some results in the first quarter. Set some “easy” goals that assist you in accomplishing your long term goals and achieve them. Success breeds success. Nothing succeeds like success. It is important in 2009 that you set the momentum to drive success in the major areas of your life. I am sure you have set goals for the year but I insist that you accomplish something meaningful or significant to you in the first quarter.

This will keep you motivated to pursue other lined up endeavors. For instance, you may have an academic goal i.e. a desire to commence a postgraduate programe this year. Get down to action. Visit or call the school directly. Talk to the head of department and make concrete findings. Don’t secure information from people who are not stake holders. Ask for a brochure or pick the form if it is available. Buy relevant text books etc. what I am emphasizing is the need to commit yourself to the cause such that retreat will be impossible.

An idea not coupled with action will never get any bigger than the brain cell it occupied. ~Arnold H. Glasgow

Another step you need to take is to check your BEHAVIOR against your GOALS. What a great way to give yourself a “check-up from the neck up!” Each and every day, check your behavior against the goals you have set. If your behavior is not contributing to your succeeding in reaching your goals, then you need to adjust your behavior. You don’t adjust the goal, you adjust your behavior. If you are spending too long at lunch, then adjust that behavior.

I will like to round up by saying that if you courageously pursue your dreams, the best of your 2008 will be the worst of your 2009!!!

Oluyemi Adeosun

DOUBLE TROUBLE

It beats me when I hear people praying for a problem free year. I wonder why people seem not to understand that the major key to progress is problem solving. We all probably desire a promotion and yet we do not like to mount the platform which may include; challenges, stress, problems, additional responsibility, change of location, demotion etc. These are some of the catalyst that assist in climbing to the next level.

Responsibility is the mother of greatness. Look at the Chinese bamboo tree after it’s planted, it grows root for about five years and then starts to grow out afterwards. You need to deepen your roots. Whatever issues that are coming your way now are gym-ing materials to fortify you to be able to fight in the heavy weigh category. Don’t run from work and expect reward.

It occurred to me recently that my present strength or capacity is largely a function of the opposition I have encountered in the past. This season, when people are giving excuses why they cannot get something done look for the reason why you can do it. Volunteer for the task that needs to be done and every other fellow seems to be avoiding.

There is always a reward for service. The lot of those who always pursue the easy path is to envy the guys who volunteer to serve. David got national recognition by solving national issues. What type of challenges are you doing something about? It’s one thing to complain and it’s another thing to take appropriate action that can bring about massive improvement.

“The lot of those who always pursue the easy path is to envy the guys who volunteer to serve”

Never let the thought that your effort may yield a little impact prevent you from contributing your own quota. I am personally convinced that small changes can generate massive results. I have seen this happen over and over again. Do your best! Don’t follow the rest. You are a change champion. Justify the investment nature has endowed you with. Excel in your present posting.

If you are in trouble but you are aware of it and doing something to resolve it, then do not despair. The disadvantaged person is the fellow who is not aware of his challenges and as a result not doing anything about it. When you see obstacles this season rejoice because your promotion is been set in motion.

Always remember that we will succeed if we faint not.

@ Oluyemi Adeosun

DON’T FOLLOW THE CROWD

Do not fear what they fear or dread what others dread. You need to take a proactive stand!

You cannot afford to go down with this economic meltdown. In spite of the present scenario, some people are still making profit largely because they are meeting needs. What is your focus? What do you see? I read in a magazine recently that the eyes gets thousands of signals per time and what comes to our awareness are:
1- What is entirely new
2- What we consider as a threat and
3- What opportunities/ things we are on the lookout for.

We have to renew our minds so we can see opportunities before they become obvious to many.

Some people will be selling because they are panicky but you buy wisely .This is a great season to rise to economic stardom. Do not go to sleep now that others are in a slumber. Re-strategize and fashion your recovery programme. You may need to reduce your consumption. Weed out non essential items from your purchases. In fact you may reduce your travels. Make any temporary adjustment to keep your head up.


You have to trust your guts and instinct. Do not seek the mobs approval to take an action.

Albert Einstein said "If at first, the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it"

You need to be ahead of the crowd. Identify opportunities before the masses and take position.

All I am trying to convey to you is that: This is the worst time in history to stay idle in the market place


OLUYEMI adeosun

BEGGARLY ATTITUDE

I was sitted in a bus one day and some guys were having an interesting conversation beside me. The were talking about a certain rich individual in their neigbourhood who they alleged was "very stingy". How can you know if someone is stingy except you go cap in hand to beg or extort money from someone. Can an individual be prudent and not termed stingy by others?

I challeged my fellow passengers on why they were castigating the rich man. I asked them if they were aware of the mans responsibilities and commitments. They all responded they were not aware. The fact is that if you think someone else is stingy...i guess you are the one with a problem. Begging is a choice. Irrespective of my position i do not beg for any thing. Have you not noticed that beggars always return to the same spot daily seeking for handout.

I am yet to meet someone who became financially liberated by begging. You need to move out of poverty mentality into abundance. Have you ever seen a grown up goat depending on another goat for sustenance? I remember when i was a casual labourer i ensured i lived within my means. I never enganged in the habit of asking my ogas(senior colleagues) for handout.

That you are a security personel or cleaner does not make you a beggar. Hold you head up. Do not bury your self esteem or pride. Go for solution not handout. When i meet a very successful individual I seek from them information, wisdom and knowledge. My focus is what they know and not what they have. Remember the beggars hand is always below. For a change this season do not ask your Oga for a gift. Buy something for him instead.

Do you need money? Then look for a problem you can slove. Ask your neigbour if you can wash his car for him or wash his clothes for a token. Thats a better way to get money and have your needs meet. When someone buys a new car. Dont ask him to buy drinks for you to celebrate it. Rather go ahead buy drinks and celebrate with the person. Work on your personal development and elevate your staus. Earn the money you get. Their is dignity in labour.

work: AN EXTENTION OF WORSHIP

I really thank God for a beautifull year. God has really been faithful. I am greatful
for his mercies. I look back with gratitude. If i did not accomplish all my goals for
this year guess who messed up......me



work: AN EXTENTION OF WORSHIP

As a human resource and productivity analyst i am always fascinated by new approaches
to ensure that individuals give their best and get the best out of their labour.

what motivates people to work? Money appears to be a short term measure. Increase employees salary
and you may only get an insignificant improvement in productivity. Initially the increase
in pay may motivate people to work harder but after a while they get used to the new pay and
are no longer motivated by it.

what then can keep an individual motivated perpetually?


I read a comment on a site www.dipotepede.com and i see a lot of sense in it.


"People in India consider 'Work as Worship' and this feeling has led to our success
in various spheres of life". Nitesh Gupta – a 22-year old entrepreneur based in India


when you realise that you work is an act of worship to God you will always put in your best effort.

you will even require little or no supervision since you will always be conscious of the presence of God.

Even if what you are doing now does not look like where you are going...do you best.

"someone is always watching you who is capable of promoting you or reccomending you for a promotion".

oluyemi adeosun