Success is a process, and like any process that does not take time to value and integrate the habit of sharpening the saw it soon deteriorates into failure. A workman who fails to equip himself for effective service by maintaining and upgrading his work means will not only be disappointed in the face of
opportunity he also will end up wasting more resources than is available to him.
The one who does not sharpen the saw is no much different from the one who has no saw. You have heard a lot about sharpening the saw over the period; but now you will discover resource that will help you enhance this habit; sharpening the saw.
Most people don’t get to experience the corresponding advance they strive for in their effort to sharpen the saw, professionally, academically and otherwise. The reason is not because they don’t try hard enough but because the have not integrated the right approach. Among these are: Note that sharpening the saw is a whole process on its own, this article helps to throw light on a habit that augment the main
thing, that is sharpening the saw.
Accountability: an unaccessed and unaccounted life is not truly worth living, the same is applicable to a process. Accountability in your strive for sustained excellence is key in the process of sharpening the saw. And like you and I know, it is easier to get to the top than staying at the top. But what does it take to stay on top?
1. Know that you are on top
2. Account for every time, action, effort applied to staying on top. This is very key, I think with accountability comes responsibility. One who thinks that success is only achieved only when he gets on top will soon be overtaken by those who see success as a continuous growth to excellence and perfection. By virtue of this (accountability) you grow from mistakes, you benefit from every effort applied toward your goal and you develop the responsibility that comes with
accountability.
Get others on top. This is one secret many people fail to apply not because they don’t know about it but because they are afraid; afraid to be second best, afraid to break new grounds, afraid to step up to challenges. They think the only way they can stay on top is by keeping others down. A true winner is not the one that has nothing else to win but he is the one who helps others become winners. Before one could get another on top, he himself must be on top. Jesus said if you lift me up I will draw all men to myself.
In the process of sharpening the saw effectively, you have to account for every effort you put in, as well as the time and resources applied. Here are some practical questions to give answers in your effort to sharpening the saw;
What have I done to sharpen the saw? How much time and resources were put in to achieve this goal,what did I achieve from these efforts? Did I really sharpen the saw? How effective am I after this process? These necessary questions should be answered in your quest to accountability as regards the topic. Remember, a man could remain at the same level he is in forty years to come if he does not sharpen the saw.
21.12.10
Will Vs Performance
It is a popular saying that where there is a will there is a way. But have you ever wondered how easy it is to will?
Everyone wills to become one thing or the other, to achieve one goal or another however the functional aspect of the will process is the performance aspect of it.
We can will all we care as the saying goes one who wills shall find a way but whence does the power and ability to walk the way come from.
If it were all about willing, then people need not struggle to achieve their objectives. Will is only the starting point or initiator of achieving any goal or desire. Success is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.
Many at times people will to achieve a goal,putting all necessities in place they still fail to actualize it. Why? You may ask; it isn’t because what they willed wasn’t important, it is not because they were not conscious of the importance of the task they set to achieve. It is mostly because the ability to perform their wills is not in them. Apostle Paul said “For I know that in me nothing good dwells. For to will is present with me but how to perform what is good I do not find.” Romans 7:18. It is always present in every man the ability to will; to will that which is good,to will that which is necessary and helpful, and to will success, to will good health and good living but I ask myself how many get to achieve them. Only if wishes were horses...
Anyone could be in adversity, if such one could believe and will to come out of that adversity then he will find a way. There is always an equivalent opportunity given to actualize every goal, desire, aspiration or a reaching out for.
However, when the will has been willed, the way found and the opportunity given,how to perform that which is good is what many cannot find. The one who gives answer to the question how usually gets the job (gets it done). Will without performance is the initiator of mediocrity.
It is however encouraging noting that like skill ability can be developed. We all are created with several abilities; while some make the best out of theirs others just waste it. A good combination of diligence,hard work, and commitment in showing faithfulness to that which is committed unto you will help
strengthen your ability for future responsibility.
5.11.10
Growing Right: Self Improvement Tips For Right Development
Every caterpillar is in reality a butterfly if it develops rightly –Grecu.
Man created in God’s image has a design of exhibiting greatness in carrying out his duties and responsibilities. However, in the process of growth and development many lose understanding of their functional design. To exhibit true greatness one must first understand oneself and purpose. Every tree is planted with the intention of growing to bear the right kind of fruit, but some don’t.
It is in the hand of every man to take personal responsibility of his development. With this in mind, how can one make oneself develop rightly? One must first recognize that one has in him the capacity to develop according to original design.
Already, what everyone needs to grow is in him, only that some fail to discover it. No man is born into this world whose work is not born with him. Before a farmer plants a seed, he weighs, accesses and examines the seed to certify its potency to grow and become. Every tree has the potential to produce its intended plant or tree with application of the right resources.
Know your source, attach to it and derive the most from it. You have to know yourself well enough to know what will enhance your development. A man who fails to discover and identify with his source of development will suffer deprivation.
Utilize your opportunity of development to develop others, true growth and development is shown when your development is a source of development to others. Make your development evident by contributing to the development of others.
Light up your path to development with information. He that seeks to become the best must have reasonable knowledge of the existing best.
Finding Purpose in Active Service
Lots of question has been asked about purpose but very few have asked about service. Purpose hasvirtually everything to do with service. Many a great men that have walked the face of the earth found their purpose in active service of humanity and by so doing made great impacts that can’t be forgotten in a hurry. One sure way of discovering purpose is by engaging in active service; service that is not prompted by ulterior motives or agenda.
Motives matter a lot, right goals with wrong motives when achieved does not yield the required impact because the motives are wrong. King Solomon asked for wisdom and he received in addition wealth, and all round peace; his motives were right. A lot of people try to cash on that method to no avail; their motives are not sincere (the giver – God searches and knows the heart).
Service creates an opportunity to discover our strength, to perfect them and to improve our weak points. When one shows faithfulness with a given opportunity, more is given him, service creates that opportunity to prove faithfulness.
The lists are endless of men who found their ultimate purpose in active service, these men never started with intention of getting their names into history books. But they served to improve lives and create positive atmosphere for themselves and others. The desire for improvement leads to creative ideas that
will really impact lives.
Service is the price you pay for the space you occupy. To find purpose, discover service.
4.11.10
The Dynamics Of Opportunity
Success or failure is highly influenced by opportunity. But how? You may ask. For every attempt to achieve an aim there is an equivalent opportunity. With the application of wisdom, skill and the right principles we consciously put ourselves in the path of opportunity.
There is the possibility as well as the opportunity to achieve the most of what we should each day. I think whatsoever we need to achieve our purpose is available to us by providence. It only takes understanding, a little bit of wisdom, and some divine direction to see and use the myriad of possibilities that elude us daily. He that sees what others do not see gets to solve more problems as well as achieve more.
Opportunity works like crane, each one used serve as a platform for another. Each missed, will in one way or the other hamper the success of forthcoming ones. That is why it’s always necessary to make the most out of available opportunity.
There are always two dimensions about opportunity. It either results in success or failure, depending on how one handles it. There is no in between, you either utilize it or you lose it. But be rest assured that the opportunity you did not take when you could might come back to hunt you.
Opportunity can be created. As one can create a pleasant atmosphere out of a repulsive one by aerating it, the same is analogous to creating opportunity. By identifying the possibility of what can be achieved and working towards it, we create the opening for that to be achieved.
A times, opportunities get to those who least deserve it while it eludes those who most deserve it (it’s natural anyway). This is where you need to be creative in applying the idea in the preceding paragraph. Most regrets we face in life are mostly as a result of the opportunity we fail to use.
There is the possibility as well as the opportunity to achieve the most of what we should each day. I think whatsoever we need to achieve our purpose is available to us by providence. It only takes understanding, a little bit of wisdom, and some divine direction to see and use the myriad of possibilities that elude us daily. He that sees what others do not see gets to solve more problems as well as achieve more.
Opportunity works like crane, each one used serve as a platform for another. Each missed, will in one way or the other hamper the success of forthcoming ones. That is why it’s always necessary to make the most out of available opportunity.
There are always two dimensions about opportunity. It either results in success or failure, depending on how one handles it. There is no in between, you either utilize it or you lose it. But be rest assured that the opportunity you did not take when you could might come back to hunt you.
Opportunity can be created. As one can create a pleasant atmosphere out of a repulsive one by aerating it, the same is analogous to creating opportunity. By identifying the possibility of what can be achieved and working towards it, we create the opening for that to be achieved.
A times, opportunities get to those who least deserve it while it eludes those who most deserve it (it’s natural anyway). This is where you need to be creative in applying the idea in the preceding paragraph. Most regrets we face in life are mostly as a result of the opportunity we fail to use.
2.9.10
How To Maximize Opportunity By Utilizing Time Effectively
Two of the most valuable resources a person can get are time and opportunity.Not everyone can put themselves to work in doing what it takes to be successful.
It is quite easy to come to terms with the fact that life has stages and
as the stages vary so does the type of opportunity. So a wise
person must not fail to condition and reposition himself to meet up.
Lack of opportunity is not an ultimate excuse to fail. This post will be highlighting certain guidelines which if taken will help you maximize and use two of the most important resources that could help materialize success you desire.
Opportunity and time are not the only factors in the equation of success.
“There are many ways to die but you have to figure out a way to live”. In addition I will state that “there are many ways to achieve success but the principle remains the same”. I made clear how easy it is to miss opportunity. I will attempt to relate time with opportunity to address the issues of opportunity.
1. Know that achievement can be harnessed or hampered by one’s time
management ability. The attitude of “there is not enough time now...” doesn’t tend to results. It only creates the in you the habit of procrastination, that's not what you want. Never leave for tomorrow what you can do today. The things that really matter are the ones we regard as having little or no impact. But these are the things that on the long run will decide our efficacy.
2. Know your priorities and set them out right: a purpose without a plan will
only tend to disappointment and failure. No matter how skillful and
effective one seems to be, there is always insufficient time to carry out
all the work one has to do. It is easy to stray from purpose when
there is no laid out plan. Apply the 20% to 80% principle (try to
achieve more in less time), it's quite demanding however, the results are quite impressive.
Effective time management begins with having the right goals and programming yourself to achieve it with time. It is a bit demanding to take stock of daily activities, however, you will experience real achievement in your personal life if you set daily goals and strive to achieve them.
3. Avoid procrastination: procrastination is the one of the most
common obstacles to achievement. Everyday comes with opportunity which if missed would require getting round the cycle again (let alone time lost) procrastination
is laziness and it is dangerous. The less you do the less you want to do.
4. Understand the cycle of events and opportunity especially that which
you seek.
5. Learn from your mistakes and success, but more from the experience
of others.
6. Focus on your strength while working on your weakness. You can maximize your strength and minimize your weakness by reducing your dependence on the weakness.
7. Be accountable for every time you use. Time is not just money, it is
your life.
8. Avoid wasting opportunity. The loss of presently available
opportunity will definitely result to the miss of future opportunity.
Present opportunity is a criteria for utilizing forth coming
opportunity.
It is quite easy to come to terms with the fact that life has stages and
as the stages vary so does the type of opportunity. So a wise
person must not fail to condition and reposition himself to meet up.
Lack of opportunity is not an ultimate excuse to fail. This post will be highlighting certain guidelines which if taken will help you maximize and use two of the most important resources that could help materialize success you desire.
Opportunity and time are not the only factors in the equation of success.
“There are many ways to die but you have to figure out a way to live”. In addition I will state that “there are many ways to achieve success but the principle remains the same”. I made clear how easy it is to miss opportunity. I will attempt to relate time with opportunity to address the issues of opportunity.
1. Know that achievement can be harnessed or hampered by one’s time
management ability. The attitude of “there is not enough time now...” doesn’t tend to results. It only creates the in you the habit of procrastination, that's not what you want. Never leave for tomorrow what you can do today. The things that really matter are the ones we regard as having little or no impact. But these are the things that on the long run will decide our efficacy.
2. Know your priorities and set them out right: a purpose without a plan will
only tend to disappointment and failure. No matter how skillful and
effective one seems to be, there is always insufficient time to carry out
all the work one has to do. It is easy to stray from purpose when
there is no laid out plan. Apply the 20% to 80% principle (try to
achieve more in less time), it's quite demanding however, the results are quite impressive.
Effective time management begins with having the right goals and programming yourself to achieve it with time. It is a bit demanding to take stock of daily activities, however, you will experience real achievement in your personal life if you set daily goals and strive to achieve them.
3. Avoid procrastination: procrastination is the one of the most
common obstacles to achievement. Everyday comes with opportunity which if missed would require getting round the cycle again (let alone time lost) procrastination
is laziness and it is dangerous. The less you do the less you want to do.
4. Understand the cycle of events and opportunity especially that which
you seek.
5. Learn from your mistakes and success, but more from the experience
of others.
6. Focus on your strength while working on your weakness. You can maximize your strength and minimize your weakness by reducing your dependence on the weakness.
7. Be accountable for every time you use. Time is not just money, it is
your life.
8. Avoid wasting opportunity. The loss of presently available
opportunity will definitely result to the miss of future opportunity.
Present opportunity is a criteria for utilizing forth coming
opportunity.
14.7.10
6 Tips On How To Wake Up On The Right Side Of Bed
Most times we wake up feeling so sore, wishing we did not wake up. While at other times we feel great right from our rising. But have you ever wondered why this is so? Do you know that steps can be taken to positively influence how we wake up?
This post will attempt to reveal certain tips on how to wake up on the right side of bed. These tips will show to be very helpful if applied, it should rather be seen as a helpful suggestion than a principle to the title of this post.
The two sides of sleep play decisive role on one’s general state after rising. The listings below will positively influence this state on rising from sleep.
1. You must acknowledge and understand that sleep does a lot to improve you psychologically, physically emotionally and otherwise. In addition it is a gift from God; he gives sleep to his beloved. Ps. 127:2 sleep is an opportunity… it is sweet transition from the old to the new, the present past to the nearest future, from the spent to the brand new (whole)… the knowledge of this will help you appreciate it.
2. Don’t Carry Problems Over: The easiest load to conveniently carry about (unconsciously) is problem. People unknowingly carry their problems with them wherever they go (no matter how heavy the problem seems to be on them). Little wonder Jesus called to himself all who are burdened and heavy laden, to give them rest.
People carry their problems along wherever they go, by means of “thought”. Never carry problems into your sleep (by means of thought). In doing so, you are likely to wake with them. Since problems cannot be slept away, it is helpful to rest them before sleep. It is more preferred to wake soundly and take on problems, than sleep with worries and continue with them on your rising. This doesn’t make for a great start of a new day.
3. Have an idea of what to expect the next day: with strategic planning, knowing what to expect each time is not a problem. Strategic planning will help you know your purpose as well as put your purpose in perspective. Knowing your purpose will go a long way to preparing you for the responsibility ahead. Being in a prepared state of mind transiting into a new day is a great psychological boost.
4. Take Stock: Take stock of the day, this will show you whether you succeeded or were defeated in achieving your daily goals. The outcome will either motivate or discourage you…but you have choice.
5. Engage in serious meditation: This is for the soul and the spirit. The total well being of man consists not in his body alone but also in his soul and spirit. To be a complete and highly effective person these triplets should as a matter of fact be properly catered for. The right meditation (which could be in form of prayer, reading important/inspirational writings such as Bible, Koran etc) will resuscitate a person and emphasize his ultimate objectives. As food does good to the body, so does meditation to the soul and spirit.
6. Exercise: A light aerobic exercise every morning will go a long way to making you a total and sound person. A light exercise will restore your focus as well as keep you in good shape for achieving your daily goals. Applying these tips will set you on the launch pad for a great day.
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