Succeed in Service by Humility

Did you know that humility can work in you, through you and for you towards success? Humility is not a trait of weakness. Only the strong can be gentle, it takes a great deal of self worth, character and understanding to be humble.

The first action line of humility is personal, it concerns itself with improving ones mental frame, and it equips one with the understanding of who one is. We know what we are to ourselves, it’s not the same with what people see of us. It’s necessary we see ourselves also in the light of how people see us. Humility helps us in this aspect. It not only helps us appreciate or show concern, it makes us see value in people. When you don’t value people, it’s hard to see any good whatsoever in their opinion or contribution even if they have the perfect solution.

A master piece is not produced only by the skillfulness of the craftsman alone, flexibility is required on the path of object of work. As much as we want to be flexible to change, we equally desire to be agents of the change we desire. That’s what humility does, it reeds you of rigidity.

we are yet to realize and utilize the potential of possibilities we are capable of. Humility is a key virtue in making one a ready agent of impact, change and empowerment. These can only be achieved by service.

To be humble you must not only conquer pride but self. If you can conquer and control self, you can possibly conquer anything. You are humble not because you don’t realized who you are, but the correct idea about is; you know who you are so you must be humble.

Change Is Only Natural

It started with change right from the very beginning; man and his environment are governed by one indisputable factor – change. Everyday we see change, it’s very obvious and yet some can’t find out and understand that they are indebted to change.
Nothing is as constant as change. At the long run anybody would realize that at one point in life they must either change or be changed. There is a feeling people show towards change. You know the feeling that usually meets a major reshuffle in the office or the emergence of new competition. The common unpleasant emotion that comes with change is insecurity and uncertainty though they are natural to an extent. The unstable balance is always troubled by change at any attempt on our fundamental needs. Every person has the fundamental need for love, security, recognition, creativity, expression etc. Anything that attempts to alter the status quo is often met with unpleasant emotions.

Can you avoid change? Can you work to a level of utmost security and satisfaction that would guarantee anti-change effects? Of course yes? But only fools imagine thus? Change has a double edge effect. To the one who detest and tries to avoid it, it often spares disaster and unpleasant emotions. To the other who sees it as only a natural phenomenon, and does what he should to flow with it, he will sail safe on the tides of constant change.

Satisfaction and contentment are two feeling everybody wants to experience in their daily life. But these same feelings can be enemy to the positive effects that change brings. No one would seek to improve what he is totally content with. And I think there is that tendency in everyone to want more. If satisfaction where a commodity, it would be very scarce. Contentment is a virtue, a desirable one at that. But if everyone where content with what they are, how they feel, and what they have then there would be a killing air of mediocrity, ineptitude and definitely no need for improvement. I also think there is that tendency in man not to be content. That’s why every forward thinking person always wants more, that extra touch that makes it look better; they want to take it a little bit higher, to step up the status quo.
And for boredom? There is always a positive approach to every thing even this. Give a toddler a toy, soon he gets he gets bored with it; he wants more he wants something better, a little bit exciting and satisfying. And that’s the basics of improvement. Where there is a tendency for more or improvement there would always be progress and development. Where there is utter contentment there is little development. Mans need is insatiable.

Is there any wisdom in avoiding change? No. is there any reason in having unpleasant emotions about change? Yes. So what’s the deal?

1. Change is only natural. It’s as natural as reaching for water when thirsty. It’s as natural as the seasons in a year.

2. You can work it. You can prepare for it and use it beneficially. Your attitude and character matters here. Build up a character that is not afraid of change effect by being proactive, because you are prepared and positioned for the next; because you are informed and constantly learning (growing).

And for improvement? You can only reach for better when you have known the good; you have an idea of the best and want to get there. We aim above the mark to hit the mark – Ralph Waldo Emerson. The antidote for change and the unpleasant feelings about its effects is consistent discreet improvement. Like I would always say there is always enough room for improvement and everyday brings that that opportunity to achieve that.

Risk Taking In Everyday Life- 3 Reasons Why You must Take Risk

There are three types of people, those who take risk, those who don’t and those who admire or analyze it. There is this misconception about risk which has been bought by so many. They think of risk as danger, everyday of our lives we take risks without knowing it, we are faced with the challenge of making decisions without knowing the outcome (that is risky isn’t it?). Boarding an airplane or striking a match is a risk and anyone most likely would be willing to take because of necessity. The greatest and most useful inventions available to us today are born out of risk so why won’t you take risk.

The ability and courage to take risk is something every result oriented person should possess. Life is all about making choices, while some favor you others lead to a sore regret. Some times it requires thorough ruthlessness to achieve your earnest desire. Some things will never happen until you take the risk to go the extra mile in making it happen.
The worth of an achiever is measured by what she is willing to sacrifice for success. However it’s also noteworthy that success is not all in all as some people will like to cut corners in order to achieve success. Today, progress has taken the place of perfection. In the words of Jefferson-I will sacrifice my life to achieve success but not my integrity”
3 reasons why you must be a risk taker

I. Taking calculated risk puts you in the path of opportunity: opportunity begets possibility; one of the surest ways of putting yourself in the path of opportunity is by going all out for it. There used to be a time when I shy away from certain opportunity I see as risky. But when I realized the secret of success I came to understand the real essence of taking the risk to grab opportunity as it comes. People shy away from opportunities for different reasons; it is basically due to fear. Fear of failure or disappointment, opportunity they say comes but once but I always oppose it because I have seen lots of opportunity come and go (but not without taking advantage of it). But note this one fact, “opportunity comes to those who prepare for it, it does not pass by those who properly position themselves for it.” It is a fact.

II. Not taking risk impels you from taking action: where there is movement there is improvement, but don’t think progress can happen without taking necessary action to implement it. In my previous post

3 Action Steps For Planning, Implementing And Achieving Your Goals

I talked extensively on action in relation to success. Some people that see risk as danger or a no go area tend to shift or responsibility. They always give excuses and reasons not to take action. Breaking your bounds require ruthlessness which is facilitated by the desire to take decisive action. Heaven never helps the men who will not act. -Sophocles

III. Risk taking enables you to deal with challenges and not run from them: do you shy away from challenges? Man is of few days and full challenges. Whether you fancy it or not challenge is one thing every human must face so you had better get used to it. One way to overcome boredom is by taking up challenges; nothing rouses up a man like a little opposition. It is risky taking up challenges but also rewarding, they are seen as cowards those that fail to do what they should because they think it is risky. Don’t see risk as danger if you do you will avoid it and thereby miss your opportunity. Taking up challenges is risky especially when you do it unprepared. That’s basically why people miss out on opportunity they shy away from challenges because they are not prepared. The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when it comes. –Disraeli The riskiest thing is not taking a risk when necessary.

But it is all up to you, every risk to be taken is a challenge and in every challenge there lies an opportunity to get something achieved.

The Secretes Of Growth And Personal Development

Why do people never grow? They complain at the face of every challenge, even when they are familiar challenges they have overcome in time past and are capable of overcoming now; they just choose to complain. Don’t complain over what you have no intention to change. Growth is one thing everybody wants, whether in business, career, family or in any field one might possibly think of. The opposite of growth is depreciation and it doesn’t take long before a thing dies when it starts depreciating. The world is fast moving on and leaving behind everything that fails to grow with it. This article is designed to reveal the crucial and fundamental things to be done for growth to take place. Anybody that desires growth in any field he operates in, needs to understand that like success growth is not accidental neither is it spontaneous. A writer wrote, “except for the books you read and the people you meet, you will remain in five years time the same person you are now.” Some people hope to reach great heights and attain enviable positions, which is a good thing to do, but very few take interest in developing themselves first. You have to be built up to stay up, if you jump up you will come down.
Growth begins from the mind and grows from there. Guard your mind with all diligence for out of it comes the issues of life, even those that will eventually produce your growth.

#1 desire growth: if your desire is pale and flabby, your achievement will follow that same hue and consistency. An earnest desire for growth is very essential before anything else will take place at all. Have that desire to improve in your field of choice. Your desire for growth is far more important than you realize. He who intends to grow must first desire it and then do all it takes to achieve it.

#2 believe in yourself: lack of self believe is one reason why a lot of people don’t get to achieve what they want even when they can. In the article “how to gain the trust and confidence of others”, I talked about self confidence and believing in oneself. You can get the whole world to believe in you, but if you don’t believe in yourself, you can’t achieve what is expected of you. What matters is you believing in yourself not who believes in you. Don’t think this is the best you can be, no matter how worse you are don’t even think you cant grow above that. I met a man who was telling me that one can’t change ones destiny. He had been through a lot in life and he has done all he could without breakthrough. Then he came to that conclusion. I have seen lots of people far worse than he; they defied the odds to grow beyond their weakness. The truth is if you think and believe you can, then you can but if you cant then you won’t.

#3 educate yourself: education does not only lie in the four walls of an institution. You can grow yourself beyond expectation outside an institution. Great men that have lived on this earth have. The best and most important part of every man's education is that which he gives himself. –Gibbon. The best way to be relevant in a fast and demanding world is by educating yourself. Continuous learning is the minimum requirement for growth and success in any field.

#4 practice, practice, practice: the key to perfection and excellence is practice after learning. Even if you learn all you want without practicing it, there is possibly no way you can perfect in it. Ask any expert in their field how they got their level of perfection, and they will tell you “practice and more practice”. It is not for sports people alone, anybody who learns must practice to grow, practice to be who you want to be. You don’t grow when you learn, train without competing or showing it. Because in competing, problems are discovered. Problems spot out imperfection and with that, a wise person will know what to do.

#5 develop when you DON’T: strive to grow. Develop yourself by discovering one new thing every day (DON’T). That way you grow with each passing day. Condition your mind to be receptive to discovering new things, new methods, new ideas and you will be sure to grow with each passing day. Remember, you are king in what you discover.

#6 self discipline: your ability to determine your highest priority and then work on it until it is completed is the primary test of self discipline, willpower and personal character. People tend to resent things that will make them leave their comfort zone. And this is a big problem to growth and development. To achieve our goals, sometimes we have to do and take certain measures that we are not comfortable with. If self discipline is not in your tool box for achieving success in life, do all you can to get it, for it is the ability to make yourself do what you should, when you should, whether you feel like it or not.

#7 get a coach: some people need as little as someone to advice them what to do for them to grow past their present point. If you can attain the height you so desire, then getting a coach to help you is not a bad decision. If a coach is what you need to develop yourself and grow beyond your status qou, get one.

#8 there is need for intelligence: you must be intelligent enough not just to know the right thing to do, or the wrong thing not to do, but to know what is appropriate and to do it. Applying what you know require intelligence.

#9 don’t be content with the level you currently operate: don’t maintain the status qou, rather improve it. You will be tying down yourself as well as inhibiting the possibility of further development if you think where you are is “it”. Keep growing, for that is the best way to avoid deterioration.

#10 get around people who are already there: you cant get past what you don’t see. A good way to get to where you want to be is by getting around those that are already there and learning from them. You cant fly with the eagles if you keep scratching with the chickens.

#11 bear your purpose in mind and meditate on it. You must picture yourself at that expected level, by meditating on what you want to achieve (growth and development), you generate more interest towards it and by power of meditation you gain valuable ideas to achieve it. For where your heart is, there you put your treasure and resources. If the dream is held close to heart and imagination is applied to what is at hand, everything is possible.

#12 invest your resources towards your growth. A lot of people want to get everything for free. But if you are waiting for free you might have to wait for a very long time. If you take your development seriously, you will do all it takes to achieve it. Invest your time, money and effort in developing yourself or be left behind by a world that doesn’t tolerate mediocrity, neither does it wait for anyone.

#13 don’t grow wild. Wild trees produce wild fruits. You don’t want to harm people, do you? Be intelligent and grow well not wild.

Don’t take others as a milestone for your development, if you will ever grow past them. One way to be very inefficient is to live in past glories. Grow with every challenge and opposition, an intelligent person will from his challenge spot out his need. Like the body needs food to grow the mind also need something to feed on, that keeps it in positive and productive shape in order to grow. It is very important not to feed the mind with yesterdays failure if you want to achieve tomorrow’s success. Grow your mind first, for when the head pulls through, the whole body follows. Be willing to pay the price for growth, personal development takes time but there is discipline in waiting for something that is coming to you especially if you have done all to achieve it. Don’t spend the whole time focusing on your weaknesses while depriving your strengths, thereby turning your strength into part of your weakness. Efficiency and effectiveness is increased when people lay more emphasis on their strength while working gradually to improve an d strengthen their weaknesses. People are more productive, happier and creative when utilizing their strength?

6 Qualities That Successful People Have Adapted And Internalized

Does success really have secretes? Are successful people evasive about some qualities that made them so successful and outstanding; is there a conspiracy of silence? Definite answers have not been given to this question; I know you would like to know the answers to this question so read on as this article will reveal the so called secretes that successful people adapted and have internalized.
Success as so many people think has secretes, but these secretes are actually no secretes. These are not esoteric or supper humanistic principles, they are qualities exhibited by seemingly ordinary people who took that first step of resolving to succeed despite the overwhelming opposition that comes with success. There is one prominent fact to be noted: successful people have principles, well internalized principles that have propelled them from ground level to the outstanding position they now occupy.


#1 They have a precise passion: it’s very important to be passionate about ones’ aspiration however without the exact undivided enthusiasm channeling to that purpose, the expected end result might not be achieved. It’s easy to be passionate about anything but never has it been an effortless task developing and focusing ones’ passion and resources consistently towards achieving an aspiration amidst all the distractions. That’s why so many people excuse divided enthusiasm, they don’t have the tenacity to hold on and follow their aspiration through to the end. Do you know what the secrete of success in life really is? One thing—just one thing you stick to and that, you have to figure out. In the words of Emerson “nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” It’s not enough to have passion, know what you want, single it out and give it all you‘ve got.


#2 They Aspire for greatness: the height successful people attain, they aspired to reach. Motivated by that aspiration they do whatever it takes to achieve it. Bill Gates aspired to build his own company; today that company has over hundred thousand employees worldwide. Even though most successful people try to be humble by saying they never dreamed of getting where they are, they still worked hard from the onset knowing they can get to the top. No matter what field they perform all successful people share this quality. And being highly successful begins with aspiring to be successful, for what you can conceive you can achieve.


#3 Their passion was not born overnight: their motivation is not by one flight. The reason why so many people fail is because they want to achieve in one flight what has taken successful person years to accomplish. Case in point: a man was going down the drains of failing business and he sees another man whose business is exceedingly flourishing he immediately switches to that business, after some time if the business is nothing to be compared with what attracted him in the first place he now starts thinking of another one. No he got it all wrong; don’t be that man, don’t do something because another is succeeding in doing it don’t copy their methods or achievements rather adapt the principles to achieve your own passion and goals.

#4 They spend time developing themselves: first and foremost, educate yourself. That’s the essence of having a successful foundation to build on. Invest time in educating yourself on each and everything you care for. They know more than sitting back and thinking of success as a position or destination which they have arrived at.

#5 They cooperate: cooperation has been effectively utilized by the most successful people, they know they can achieve a lot on their own, they are also aware of the fact they can achieve a lot more with the help of another. They know the power of synergy; they know that two is better than one. The famous brand Google never came to existence until Larry Page met with Sergey Brin and together they formed one of the biggest internet companies today. Successful people know they can’t achieve everything alone, they believe in team work. If you can’t find that extra edge to achieve it alone, don’t sit back or give up on it. Find some one achieve it with you. A man said he cannot find the solution to a problem but he knows that someone a little bit smatter than him can

#6 Determination: you can’t afford to be giving up if you want to be successful. Highly successful people dont give up on their aspiration; by hard work they keep determined to see it all to the end. It is never easy to hold on when things are not working out well, those who made it never held on because they want to be seen as determined or because they don’t want to be termed quitters. They were sure of their objective and the end result, so they held on.


The ability to be successful is not a gift bestowed on a few endowed people; the fact is that anybody can be successful. Don’t think that highly successful people are super humans; they are like every other person on earth on earth. Only they have adopted and internalized certain principles that have enhanced their climb to the top. You can be successful if you so desire…studying this article would help you understand the principles successful people internalize. However, these is not a quick fix procedure, study and practice them, let time perfect it in you and your success will appear more achievable than you thought.