SELF-TALK FOR MONDAY

What you say to yourself is called self-talk. Self-talk plays a vital role in our lives. I find the one below very powerful and engaging. Please read aloud to yourself.
Happy reading.
.............
I affirm that I am reigning in life. The blessing of the Lord has made my fame to spread abroad. I am like the city that is set on the hill, I can never be hid by the economic downturn of the world.

I am mightily blessed of the Lord and out of my belly flows prosperity, joy, health, peace, and success.

No man can successfully work to my disadvantage because all things are fashioned to work together for my good.

I am so blessed and nothing is permitted to fail in my hands. Hallelujah!

My address is Christ therefore, I refuse to be perturbed about anything because in Christ, all things are mine.

I am built strong and established firmly in the faith as I walk in the light of God's blessings for my life.

I am the centre of God's operation in the earth; through me, the nations of the world are blessed.
[Source: Chris Oyakhilome]

Kindly like, comment and share

POWER OF POSITIVE INFLUENCE

Some people do not know how to build their influence positively so that those around them can enjoy their presence instead of enduring their presence.

In today's podcast learn the ropes of creating positive influence.
Click here to learn more

FROM PEPPER HAWKER TO PHD

*Former pepper hawker earns PhD in Biomedical Engineering*

A young Nigerian lady, Adeola Olubamiji, whose story is that of the proverbial grass-to-grace has not only done herself proud by earning a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, her story is an encouragement that where there is a will, there is a way.

Read her moving tribute on her graduation day:

“As the fifth child of five, I always had to wait for my turn. I was the last, a girl child and raised by a mother who is a farmer and a father who has little.

“I hawked pepper on the streets of Ibadan as early as age 10 to help my mum. Went to public primary and secondary schools in Ibadan. Attended OOU and studied Physics.

“Because I had a 2.1, it opened the door for me to proceed to Finland for a Master’s Degree in Biomedical Engineering. During this Master’s degree, I worked part-time as a cleaner and did this after my Master’s as well.

“Out of determination, I applied to over 100 schools for my PhD and finally got a full three-year scholarship (later extended to four years) at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, to pursue a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.

“While in that PhD programme, I worked part-time as a makeup artist, teaching assistant, braided hair and fixed weaves to make extra money.

“Today, I walked the stage as the first black person to bag a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada!

“I walked this stage for you Mama Africa and for my Motherland Nigeria! I walked the stage for all of you Black women disrespected and looked down on!

“I walked for all of you from my ghetto hood, Mokola, Ibadan. I walked for all OSU students and ex-students that got that look from people who think we are not brilliant!

“I walked for all of you Africans in Finland wondering what is next for you!!

“Specially, I walked for you my parents, siblings and extended family in fulfilment of your dreams!

“Specially, I walked the stage for you my late sister Omoleye Olubamiji; and my late mentor Ayodele Olatunbosun.

“Today, I walked for my future husband and my unborn children who patiently waited for me to fulfil my dreams so that he can have a wife he will be proud of and they can have a role model to look up to.

“I walked for all immigrants and all young adults who strived everyday chasing their dreams!

“I walked in celebration of the unfailing love of my first and one truly true love, Jesus Christ, (in you I walk, in you I live, and in you I have had and will continue to have my being)!

“Be bold, be innovative, be different, be you, be everything you want to be; but remember to put God first!

“Let no man, upbringing, money, circumstance, colourism, past mistakes, institution, company, partner, background, let nothing tell you ‘you can’t do it.’

“Go smart! Go hard!! Go for Gold!!! Go with God!!! Just Get Going!!!!! #Grad2017 #PhDConvocation #UofS”

Editor’s Note: This post has been edited.  Adeola Olubamiji is the first black to obtain a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada.

[Source: Punch]

A SHOCKING EXPERIENCE

Just got to Abuja from Benin and it was raining heavy. Had to walk to the CarPark. Nigeria is the only country I have seen airports without elevator and a good and functional structure that lead you to carpark. Anyway, I saw these guys with umbrella  they come and walk you to the car park with their umbrella and you pay.

I sighted Allhassan, 10year old with umbrella he came and started walking me. I was very curious to see a young boy like that doing such a job but he spoke fluent English so I ask him if he's going to school and when will he resume school; " Next Week" he answered.

I sense he was too Intelligent for his age hence I probe more: How much do you make daily working at the airport? ; " 3000 Daily and I use it to sponsor myself to school" he replied. I was so marvelled! I ask again; " Where are your parent and why are you doing this instead of them.To this he replied; " My Dad and Mum are alive.My Dad has lost his job. We are 7children and I am the oldest hence I had to go out and work". My heart almost top! I further ask; How many wives does your father have? He replied; " Two Wives, One just left remaining My Mother.

10Year Old but responsible for his schooling,yet we have grown up sitting at home and blaming government. Even his father is sitting at home and his 10year old had common sense to go out and bring something. Some Men are infidels as bible call them.

look at the picture again! Why must his father sit idle because he lost his job and allow his kids go do such job? Why must he marry two wives and have 7kids in 10years? The answer is Foolish Religious practices ans cultural practices. We are in the Era of Bastard parents who choose laziness instead of responsibility and we are about to produce a worst generation of Graduates who worship certificate instead of prioritizing skills. If you ask me, "What's your skill"? My answer is fast and simple; Marketing and sales. That skill I develop informally because my first degree is Microbiology. So why will you finish school and there is no job in Microbiology yet alot of marketing job are begging to be filled and you say NO. it's the defination of insanity to continue to do same thing over and over again and expect a different result.

How can the failed generation change?

1)Get Any legal Job you find. idleness is the devils workshop and a man that cannot provide for his family is worst than an infidel. Get a job and it has nothing to do with your decree and there is no job you can't learn. I use to and am still a very shy and private person. I couldn't event talk to one person growing up but hard to learn to talk and market to people because I didn't want to fail my Family and this Generation. I AM forever grateful I went into marketing. Don't say there are no job. We have many jobs,we just don't have the one the old university curriculum incompetently certify you on. 

2)Start Small. Life is in phases,Men are in sizes live your size per time. Start Small,Think Big and grow fast. In Life, you are never permitted to start big but only to think big and move fast towards the big picture in your mind. we keep having failed generations because people are no longer sincere and realistic. We love to live in fantasy and become burden to friends and family. My wedding had less than 20people in attendance. No Asoebi  burden was placed on anyone so that the day you do wedding and I don't buy your asoebi. Don't Querry me because I never ask you to buy mine. I did a small wedding and forever grateful I did because no pressure on anyone. Fast forward 5years latter, how many people remember my wedding nor the food or cloth or venue? What everyone remember is the impact,increases  and the peace we are enjoying.

3)Use Your Brain,God gave you a brain so that he can rest.Religion has suspended some people's brain. Think before having children. family planning is part of the reason God gave man brain. know the number of kids that's easy for you to train. Stop spreading your seed without planning how to nurture them. Use your brain to think and manufacture  value you can exchange for cash if you dont have a Job. Find a platform to learn and relearn skills that are more relevant to 21st century productivity in the work place. Stand Up for yourself. you owe it to yourself to believe in yourself and succeed. No Man owe you anything even your parent. They might have been responsible for where you are now but not for where you are going. what happen after now is yout Fault.You have to take personal responsibility for the outcome of your life. Even a 10year old Allhassan knows if he will go to school,during holiday, he has to raise his own funds; 3000daily is over 80,000Monthly.There is money on the street and no more funds in the AC tight offices.A 10Year Old Boy knows That. How about you an adult? Be responsible today!

Sharing this with so much love in my heart and I pray God help us all to be providers for our family and not just seed spreaders.

Stephen Akintayo. 

LIFE LESSONS FROM TWO FOOTBALLERS

Two footballers who fared very well in their careers ended up in two very different paths. You will learn a lot from this narrative. Who are these footballers? Celestine Babayaro and Jay-Jay Okocha. Happy reading.
...............
The story of these two footballers illustrates our point that even though two people may start at the same position, the decisions they make along the way, will cause them to arrive at very different destinations.
Celestine Babayaro is widely regarded as the best Nigerian full back ever to have lived alongside Taribo West. Babayaro set records as the youngest player to make an appearance and to receive a red card in the UEFA Champions League. He began his playing career at Nigerian side Plateau United, before moving to Belgian club Anderlecht in 1994, and eventually would make a name for himself, quickly gaining first-choice status although still a teenager. In 1996, Babayaro was part of the Nigeria Olympic gold medal winning team at the Atlanta 96 football event.

Babayaro was signed by Chelsea in April 1997. He moved for a transfer fee of £2.25 million, a club record paid for a teenager at the time. He was also instrumental in Chelsea's memorable run in the 1999-2000 UEFA Champions League. His acrobatic celebrations with backflips were noted and loved by the fans of the club.

In January 2005, he left Chelsea to join Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee, where he established himself as first choice left back.
Cele as he was fondly called, was amongst the highest paid African players in the world as he earned a tidy pile of ‘cash’ stated to be between £25,000 and $30,000 per week at Chelsea.

With millions of dollars in earnings, you would expect that Celestine Babayaro will be very rich by now. He bought a home for his family in England, near his own house also in England. He splashed millions on super cars and is known for hard partying. Some people who claimed to know him in Kaduna, said that he usually cruises around town with girls, and even bought an expensive porshe car for one of the girls.

Every footballer eventually slows down. Babayaro’s own came suddenly with a failed move to LA Galaxy, and a bout of Malaria fever. Unfortunately for Babayaro, he did not make hay, while his sun was shining. Soon, people he owed money started tracking him, and went to the extent of putting ads on Newspaper to locate him and get him to pay his debts. Finally in 2011, Celestine Babayaro declared himself bankrupt at a court in Croydon, meaning, that he is officially broke.
Jay Jay Okocha, a quick and skillful playmaker, is widely regarded as the best Nigerian player of his generation and one of the greatest African players of all time. Okocha was known for his confidence, technique, creativity, and dribbling skills, as well as his use of feints, in particular the stepover.

Okocha began playing football on the streets just like many other football stars, usually with a makeshift ball. In 1990, he joined Enugu Rangers. Later that year, he went on holiday to West Germany, the country that had just won the 1990 FIFA World Cup, so he could watch German league football. His friend Binebi Numa was playing in the Third Division for Borussia Neunkirchen, and one morning Okocha accompanied Numa to training, where he asked to join in. The Neunkirchen coach was impressed with Okocha's skills and invited him back the next day before offering him a contract. A year later, he joined FC Saarbrücken, From there to Eintracht Frankfurt.  Okocha joined Turkish club Fenerbahçe for approximately £1 million following Eintracht Frankfurt's relegation to the 2. Bundesliga. In his two seasons with the team, he amassed 30 goals in 62 appearances, many of them coming from direct free kicks, which became something of a trademark for him at the club.

His next stop was with PSG of France and from there to Bolton Wanderes in the summer of 2002. His debut season, despite being hampered by injuries, made him a favourite with the Bolton fans, with the team printing shirts with the inscription "Jay-Jay – so good they named him twice". He steered the team away from relegation with seven goals, including the team Goal of the Season in the vital league win against West Ham United.

In 2006 he moved to Qatar, and after just one season, moved again to Hull City in 2007. At the end of the season, he was released by the club, which ultimately sent him into retirement.

Thus came to an end the wonderful career of the great Jay Jay Okocha. Between Celestine Babayaro and Jay Jay Okocha, no one can say for sure who earned the most money through football, but the difference in the wealth status of both men, was not because of how much they earned while being active in football, but how much they invested.

Today, Jay Jay Okocha is regarded as the richest footballer in Nigeria. Over the years, he was investing carefully in real estate and other entrepreneurial activities.  He runs Okocha Group West Africa Limited, a business conglomerate that employs more than 250 staffs. Some of his businesses includes:
A relaxation Spot
Club 10
Bar
Restaurant
Bureau de change
Car importation
Wine Merchant
Supply of security equipment and staff
Property development
Football players’ management
Road construction
Rentals and Events Management
Electronic Sales
And others

Jay Jay Okocha is estimated to be worth over $150 Million.

I hope my point is beginning to sink in. In the last piece I wrote about Shina Peters vs Jim Ovia, many people misunderstood the point I was trying to make.

What you are earning, will not determine how wealthy you will become. It is what you invest, that will eventually make you rich. Celestine Babayaro may never recover financially again, because his earnings are no more coming, and he has more liabilities than investments – Cars that depreciate; family houses that cannot be rented out in London, but rather needs constant property tax payment to maintain; expensive lifestyle; etc. All these are liabilities that take away your earnings. Many celebrities and “rich” professionals, like doctors, bankers etc, actually have a negative cash flow. In other words, they may be earning say 10,000 annually, but are spending 12,000 to buy and maintain liabilities. So once the earnings stops, they quickly become broke.

You may not be earning much, but never try to imitate others, or live a lifestyle that you cannot afford. It is foolish, because even those you are trying to impress don’t care and even if they care, they don’t matter in the grand scheme of things. They are here today and gone tomorrow. Look for ways of putting your money to work, invest your money, don’t spend it. Even if Mr Okocha becomes crippled today (God forbid!), he will continue to be wealthy, because his business investments will continue to bring in cash flow, as he is no longer depending on his earnings like in the case of Celestine.

Entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to invest your money. And it is not as difficult or risky as many people think. Ignorance is the reason why many people do not invest via entrepreneurship, and not lack of time or resources as many people claim. This is what Millionaires Academy is teaching youths all over Nigeria today. You need to become financially literate, so you can secure your future tomorrow. Majority of our youths, even graduates are financial illiterates.

Let me give you an example of a very simple investment/liability scenario. You have N300,000 today, you can use it to buy an iphone7. This is a liability. In 5 years’ time, it will be selling for less than N20,000 in Computer village. Assume you live in certain busy areas, you can use that money and buy some canopies, seats etc, and rent it out for events. (Actually this was the first business Okocha did; Okocha Rentals.) Few boys are all you need to be moving it from place to place. In one year, you will have your capital back, and the properties will continue to give you money. This is just an illustration, but still feasible in some places, with some modifications to the business model.

Wealth creation is a subject that can learned, and anybody can build wealth over a period of time. For some it may be shorter and longer for others, but wealth creation follows certain principle that once set in motion, must yield the desired result. So I will urge you to start building your financial future now.

One of the critical problems we have in this country is a very low human capacity development. We have the natural resources and the population, but we are severely under developed. We are seriously lacking in in personal development, and this is why foreigners come here and make huge money. A Chinese man once said that the streets in Nigeria are lined with gold. We import almost everything, even toothpicks. This is a tale for another day. But if the Chinese can come here and make it, If South Africans can come here and siphon great wealth via ShopRite, DSTV, MTN, real estate etc. why can’t we? We must begin now to develop our personal capacity whether the government supports you or not, but if you fail to develop yourself, foreigners will come here, and enslave you and your children in your own fatherland. Ask those working for Chinese and South Africans and you will understand what I mean.
[Source: Lifeskills]

UNGUARDED MATERIAL DESIRE

You may be amazed to know what goes on in our world today in the quest to all our needs have met. That simple desire is the reason behind corruption, murders, robberies, ritual killings and human trafficking. Sometimes, we are even shocked to know learn that people who often engage in these evils already have so much.

Covetousness is the desire for more, whether we need it or not. And many times, covetousness comes with its price; it would require us to do things that we would ordinarily not do, just to get more than we need. Maybe today, you are where you are because you wanted a little more than you needed. Maybe the same people who applauded you and encouraged you along that path have now abandoned you, because things did not work out. They left you stranded, and you have no idea of where to begin again. Not so with God. In Hebrews 13, the word of God says “Don't be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, "I'll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly say ‘God is there, ready to help; I'm fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?

This day that God has made, I understand that you may not have all that you want, but God has promised to supply all your need I urge you to find contentment with whatever it is that God has blessed you with, because he will never leave you or forsake you. Don’t let covetousness make you do evil; the same God who gave manna to two million people in the wilderness is able to supply, and he will not leave you stranded.
[Source: Ben & Kay Akhigbe II]

CAN YOU BEAT THIS? - The Origin of the Song

The song "It Is Well With My Soul" was written by a successful Christian lawyer Heratio Spafford. His only son died at age 4 in 1871. In 1872, the great Chicago fire wiped out his vast estate, made from a successful legal career. In 1873 he sent his wife & 4 daughters over to Europe on a summer trip on the ill fated SS Ville du Havre. Since he had a lot of work to do, he planned to follow them later. The Ship sank and he lost his 4 daughters with the wife being the only survivor. She sent him a famous telegram which simply read, "SAVED ALONE...."  On his return home, his Law firm was burned down and the insurance company refused to pay him. They said "It's an Act of God".  He had no money to pay for his house and no work, he also lost his house.  Then while sitting and thinking what's happening to him, being a spiritual person, he wrote a song - "Whatever, my Lord, You have taught me to say - It is well, it is well with my soul".  My dear friend, a good attitude will determine your altitude.  When you look at your life, career, job or family life, what do you say?  Do you praise God? Do you blame the devil?  A good attitude towards God makes Him move on your behalf.  Just sit down and say, "Today, God, it is well with my soul, I am thankful I had a peaceful sleep, I am thankful I am alive with possibilities, I am thankful I have a roof over me, I am thankful I have a job, I am thankful that I have Family and Friends.  Above all, I am thankful that I have God on my side."  Be blessed and don't be envious or shocked when others are prospering because you don't know what they have been through to get there (test, trials and tribulation) so thank God for what you have.  "Little is much when God is in it. It Is Well With My Soul!". If God is for us, who can be against us?
[Source: Unknown]

HOW TO BE A GREAT LEADER

It can be difficult for leaders (especially senior ones new to their roles) to pause before acting. But when was the last time you stopped to ask, “Why are we doing it that way?” Leaders must constantly explore new ideas and seek out new thinking from those around them. You need to regularly ask uncomfortable questions and think about whether to change or abandon an existing strategy.

The best leaders step back and look at the big picture every so often. They surround themselves with diverse teams and capitalize on opportunities to hear and experiment with new ideas. They give themselves time to surface divergent opinions that ultimately lead to smarter business decisions.
[ Source: Harvard Business Review]

HOW TO THRIVE INSPITE OF ECONOMIC RECESSION

With the present state of this Nigeria Economy , virtually 28 states out of 36 states are finding it difficult to pay salaries, companies finding it difficult to break even thereby sacking , downsizing and staggering to survive yet the Tax reform is not a cheering news for Manufacturing Association Of Nigeria (MAN) or whatever they are called- the govt is trying to diversify the economy, getting more IGR to sustain the capital and recurrent expenditures but you know what-Nigeria employees will bear the brunt.

Whether you like it or not, the silent reality is that NIGERIA is now in RECESSION and the earlier you start learning how to earn legitimately using the internet as a bridge between you and the foreigners the better.

Come and join other students who will learn one or two freelance skills within few days and start earning sustainable income from FOREIGNERS without traveling out of your room. Internet has made the world a global village but what are you using the internet for? Chat on #BBM, gossip on #Twitter, #Facebook or watch Pornography and movies on #YouTube?

We give you all the resources to start making money , we create an account for you online and show you how to make money. It's 100% practical, so please if you don't have a laptop and you aren't ready to buy one soon don't bother your head, keep submitting that CV, re-write it though to suite the current reality, afterall not everyone will own a business.

But if you are ready just come and join other student on MONDAY 8th/ August/2016 to learn any of the courses attached below and become authority in your chosen career, you don't need to reinvent the wheel- simply climb on our shoulder and attain success speedily.We will mentor you and offer you lifetime support as far as INTERNET BUSINESS is concerned. We also do Bulk sms marketing (www.gbenysms.com) , mini-importation and information marketing Business. Please Note:- This course is for both Female, male, young. old and everybody that can still learn how to click a mouse.YES..it's as simple as that.And also i didn't promise you 500,000 or 1m per month, so if what you are looking for is quick riches, please consult your best ORACLE .It's a real business and it's better than slaving/working you life away in a lebanese, indian,china company.

For More Info contact GbenyTech on whatsapp :08022334112, BBM:2B101CEC .

BECOMING MORE THAN YOU ARE

There’re different levels of prosperity and you must keep challenging yourself to go higher. Some are at the level where they have just enough to get by, but it’s not enough to have enough. God’s plan is for you to live in superabundance, where you’re powerful and influential enough financially to do whatever you want to do, whenever you want to do it, however you want to do it!
Don’t be comfortable to have just enough for you and your family.

Don’t be comfortable with having only all you need; challenge yourself to achieve more. You need to prosper exceedingly, not just for you and your family, but so you can be of help to those in need. Be the one that blesses others. This is what God told Abraham: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2).
God isn’t interested only in blessing you; He has blessed you and made you a channel of blessing. Our opening verse reveals the purpose for your labour; it’s so that you’ll have to give. There’s a blessing for the one who gives. Others must benefit from your prosperity.

Someone says, “My business is doing very well; and everything is fine in my family....” Is that really all there is to life? Is that what Jesus died for? What about others who don’t have enough? When the children of Israel went out to the Promised Land and were taking their inheritance, Joshua said to them, “...The LORD your God hath given you rest, and hath given you this land...but ye shall pass before your brethren armed...and help them...Until the LORD have given your brethren rest, as he hath given you...” (Joshua 1:13-15). This should be your attitude: live beyond yourself and be a blessing to others.
[Source: Chris Oyakhilome]

YOU CAN BE UNSTOPPABLE

As a Christian, your life is preordained by God; predestination is at work in you. Nothing happens to you by chance, neither is your life by chance. You’re responsible for the outcome of your life. He gave you authority in His Name.

This lets you know that nothing can limit you. Your age, the economy of the nation where you live, the colour of your skin, your family, educational and financial background, shouldn’t be a limitation. Nothing and no one can place a limit on you. This is God’s blessing for every one of His children, and He gave you the Holy Spirit, to be your sufficiency. With Him, you can be anything, do anything, go anywhere, and be all that God destined you to be.

You don’t have to struggle to be a success, because you function with His ability and wisdom. He’s your wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:30). What you have to understand is how to walk with Him, and function in His wisdom, beyond your human ability. God’s wisdom in you is a force that causes you to walk in His perfect will all the time, and be successful in all that you do.

Let nothing limit you. Acknowledge the Holy Spirit as your secret of success. He’s the One at work in you, and He’s an unlimited personality, with unlimited powers, abilities, and potentials. He’s the limit breaker. Recognize His work and ministry in you. That consciousness will produce a divine force that propels you to success and victory continually.
[Source: Chris Oyakhilome]

OVERCOME YOUR TODAY!

You cannot determine a man's future by his present. It is the quality of your dreams and the quantum efforts of your determination that determines where you wind up. Forget the mocking and spites of men towards you today.

What do you see? How do you SEE yourself get at it? What are you DOING day by day to get you there?
#SettleDownAndWorkYourDreams
www.j4men.blogspot.com