News
The Power of Planning: Authentic Strategy for Delivery of Possibilities (Part 3)
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?”
– Mary Oliver
A goal without a plan is just a wish. Plan your works and work your plans. Overlooking the powerful effect of strategic planning is simply planning to fail. Good planning without good working is nothing but a wild joke! Plan out your life strategically on paper, and decide today to start living intentionally by your heart (true conscience). Spencer W. Kimball reveals that: “To be sure your life will be full and abundant; you must plan your life.”
Dear friends, hear what Jim Rohn wrote: “if you do not design your own life plan, chances are that you will fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Nothing much.” This simply means that, you must start living intentionally, by subjecting your ego, pleasures and weaknesses under the principles of strategic or effective planning toward actualizing purposes and fulfilling your great destiny.
So, what and how do you engage the principles of Effective Planning?
Set a Definite Goals (SDGs)- your goals must be specific.
Decide on deadlines for your goal(s)
Write down your goals- make it plain on paper. Habakkuk 2:2(KJV) reveals that: “And the Lord answered me and said, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” Also remember that ‘the faintest ink is better that the sharpest memory.’
Develop steps or strategies towards achieving the goals that you have written.
Determine ‘what’ (the costs or sacrifice) you would give in exchange for your plans to come into reality. We all must remember that sowing comes before reaping, therefore, you must enter into the labour room and process on investments and work out your goals into reality. Pay the prices needed to get the prizes that comes with it. This is simply the law of give and take.
Set career/Mental goals: Refine your talents into skills and business (expertise). Be loaded enough with relevant skills for effective production and great value. Create value on daily basis. Read relevant books, articles and journals to brush up your mental capacity. By so doing, you can identify more of your talents and develop those talents into what is called skills. A skill is a polished, processed or refined endowments (potentials).
Talents has capability to be available. In fact, it makes one available, but skill(s) makes you desirable. The ability to earn from your skill is called expertise-the art of business. It is business that makes you profitable. It is profit that you need! Business is therefore the availability to make profits from your skills.
Set health goals for yourself: your health is the security wall of your skills, do not joke with it! Prevention is better than cure, and obedience is the best form of sacrifice. Suffice to say, follow medical prescriptions, stop self-medication to avoid complications. You must maintain fitness (Mental or psychological and physical fitness).
Build Relationship with God: don’t dare joke with your relationship with God. Do not take it with levity. Daily meditation should be unquestionable. Make your body the temple of the Lord (do not abuse it). Have a secret place of personal communion with God, read more of His Word-the Holy Bible is a high opener of mysteries. Be a kingdom builder, contribute to the growth of the House of God (The Church) through the following means: Evangelism, Sacrificial giving, Tithing among others.
Have Welfare Package(s) for your family: give your family a treat, take them out on vacation, make them smile, laugh and happy. Sweeten the heart of your spouse, stop being too critical, forget her past failures and move on by focusing on her strengths. There are levels of blessings, favour attached to your wife and children; they are created to enjoy the money you make, while you were created to make the money.
Set your Financial Budgets: This has to do with income first. How much comes in and what are the monthly inflow of money into your treasury? How much is your expenditure? You just need to be seriously detailed and strict with your finances. Endeavour to save more. Savings is paramount!
What is a Plan that matters?
A plan is simply a method that is detailed for achieving an end, it the customary method of doing something. Another word for it is procedure.
A plan is also a detailed formulation of a program of action. It is effective plans that separates achievers from ordinary dreamers. It is not what you hear that counts, it is what you do with it what you hear or have heard or read that counts! There are so many people that are carrying exactly what they are crying for! You were born loaded with enviable and unique gifts. You were born with virtually everything you will ever need so that God’s glory would be proclaimed by your evident (empirical) successes or results.
The major assignment man has is simply to make God to be better known to the world through your works, results, greatness or outputs. According to Fela Durotoye, “you are the exact example of the intentions of God! The purpose of creation by God is for Him to reign on Earth through us. We were formed in our mother’s womb because of the assignments we were sent to do (actualize or fulfil), because we all are on mission, here on earth! And if you fail, that means God’s brand has perished, God forbid! Your results have more than your name at stake”.
Promotion does not come by fasting and prayer alone, but by planning and hard work. Your results are tied to the brand of God, because when you were arriving this world (earth), you were given virtually everything you will ever need. So all you need to achieve your purpose, that greatness or successes is by engaging on EFFECTIVE PLANNING. However, if you crave not just to merely exist, but live well and effectively you must always practice and engage the principles of Effective Planning.
In conclusion, I charge you not to pity yourself, stop the blame games! Get to work by stretching the limit of your commitment- embrace excellence in place of mediocrity. It is my sincere desire that young people and adults will heed to the call of excellence, in spite of the prevailing mediocrity around them today, regardless of the culture of underperformance and frivolities that are being celebrated today. We all must work out ourselves for a successful end! Show me a man with good and effective plans, and I will show you a brilliant mind; show me a brilliant mind who is committed effective planning principles and I will show you a limitless man. It is an archaic saying that the sky is the limit. I will gladly tell you this: “there are footprints in the sky, the sky is the starting point; don’t be limited, don’t be intimidated, don’t be lazy, you need to tear up the ceilings of the sky in order to breakthrough into the world beyond it. Guess what, you don’t do that wishing or by guessing. You start by imagination, believing and putting them into writing and running after the vision by hard works and smart moves!”
(The end…)
Thank you all for reading.
Tolulope A. Adegoke is an acclaimed “globalpreneur”, with the mandate to enrich lives and provide the professional, spiritual, academic and leadership empowerment needed to birth, maximize and sustain possibilities in peoples, corporates and nations. He is a prolific writer, frequent keynote speaker and spoken word poet, among others, having written countless articles in diverse reputable fields and honoured many public invitations.
E-mail: adegoketolulope1022@gmail.com
globalstageimpacts@gmail.com
News
Impeached Lagos Assembly Speaker Boasts, Says I’m Still in Charge
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said: “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former Speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the State.
News
FAAN Confirms 38 Injured in United Airlines’ Emergency Landing in Lagos
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that 38 persons, including seven crew members, were injured when a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Lagos on Friday morning.
The Boeing 787-8 flight with 245 passengers was en route to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), in the United States, from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, when it developed problems midair and was forced to return to the airport.
There were also 11 crew members – eight attendants and three pilots – on the plane.
The FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, who confirmed the incident through a statement, said all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
She, however, said four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries.
According to her, 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
The statement read: “The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 11:59pm on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22am on Friday.
“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.
“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical, and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3:37am.
“While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and an additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.
“Aviation medical ambulances transported the injured passengers, some to the MMA Clinic and others to the headquarters clinic.”
News
Food for Living: The Insatiable Nature of Man
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There’s no doubt that human beings by nature are insatiable. When we get one opportunity, we always look for another. When we attain one height, we always look for another accomplishment. Isn’t it true that the end of one mountain is the beginning of another.
However, I don’t think it’s selfish for anyone to dare to succeed.
Being ambitious doesn’t make one an opportunist or disloyal. It all depends on one’s perception or outlook to life. It’s just natural for one to dream big. It’s only ugly when the process one chooses to achieve his desires becomes dirty and nasty.
According to a former Nigerian presidential candidate and seasoned Economist, Mr. Peter Obi, “if you must be referred to as “Your Excellency”, then the process through which you arrived in office must be excellent”.
If you desire to be reckoned with on the journey of existence, you must be legitimately hungry for success. One’s hunger for success will facilitate the drive to accomplish great tasks despite daunting obstacles posing as challenges.
When one has this mindset, one will not be bothered by the noise which serves as obstacles and challenges along the way. Negative and weak minds are always concerned on why something won’t work. They tend to focus their energy and reasons on the obstacles facing them. But great and productive minds always focus their energy on the reasons why it will work. This is the spirit of an insatiable mind who is a goal- getter.
It’s instructive to note that we can’t please everyone. According to Bill Cosby, a famous actor, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” Isn’t it true that when you talk, people will still talk about you, when you don’t talk, people will talk about you, so whether you talk or not, people will still judge you, so, do what’s best for you. There’s nothing you can do to please human beings. Your best option is to live your best life.
To understand how the insatiable nature of man works, one must be oneself. You don’t have to “please” anyone. Be yourself, and don’t try to be like anyone just to curry favour. It’s important to note that when you are yourself, the people that matter will come through for you, and the people that don’t matter will gradually find the bearing in another space because those that truly care don’t bother and those that bother don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Life has truly taught me to focus on the important things of life as opposed to the mundane things. It’s truly sad to see people spending more time on the little things of life, and spending little time on the important things of life. That’s just a misplaced priority.
When you are yourself, the best people can do is to copy or imitate your style. They can never imitate your creativity nor can take your originality from you.
We live in a world or society where people don’t generally care or show empathy. Most people tend to live around themselves, their family, and close associates. They generally find it hard to lift a finger to assist others for reasons best known to them. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka once said, “we live in a wicked generation”, re-echoing the voices of a lot of people of the world. Some people in authority just have criminal expertise in amassing wealth of opportunities meant for the citizens without thinking of the citizens they are meant to serve.
It’s worthy of note that not everyone will like you nor support your work, but when you find people who truly care about you; please hold them tight. This is because despite having family members you have shown love and compassion, they might not still appreciate you even if you lay your life for them, they will still find something to say. Again, this is the insatiable nature of man.
It’s okay for everyone not to like you, normalize living your life for God, yourself, family and those that care about you. If everyone likes you, you have a problem.
Did you know that you can get a new family from friends, strangers, and acquaintances? These sets of people might appreciate you more than your own family members. They might not demand or under appreciate you like your family members and close friends or associates. Any little support you give them will be highly appreciated. Their focus is to see you do better.
In conclusion, as you desire to succeed in life, never give in to failure until you have made your last attempt, and never make your last attempt until you succeed. This literally means whatever you desire, dream it, think it, say it, and believe you can achieve it. This principle is generally applicable to relationships, businesses, family, personal and professional development.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com