Where lasting change begins

This blog post breaks my silence on our nation’s political crisis.

I guess I’m disappointing some of you; it’s a topic most Nigerians have given up on. But for how long are we going to continue to run miles on a treadmill? The politicians are not just the problem. We all have a role in building the new Nigeria of our dreams (what is the Nigerian Dream? I guess you’re as clueless as I am).

Building with gemstones of character, integrity, justice, love for all, hardwork and peace in our daily activities won’t be a bad idea. Don’t you think so? The lyrics of the song by Beautiful Nubia below say it all:

Ohun oju nri [What the eyes have seen] by Beautiful Nubia

www.beautifulnubia.com

Ohun oju nri enu o ma ni le so o
Ohun oju ri omo o ma ni le so bo de’le o

[What the eyes have seen, the mouth cannot say in entirety]
They say we’re free and colonisation is a thing of the past
But look around you people
Time is going by and we still can’t get it right
They say our land is the home of poverty and disease
and we’re treated like second-class citizens of the world
Our leaders run around begging for help
When the solutions are right here at home with us
The future of this land is in the hands
Of every man and woman, young and old
Everyone of us has a share in the blame for the failure of this society
See, we‘re still slaves economically,
We‘re still slaves politically,
We‘re still slaves ideologically
But I’ve got a song to sing
Je a gbe’ra kuro o ninu ogbun aye, [Let’s come out of this conundrum]
Ore e so’ra, e dakun o, a ma njin si koto [Friends, we’re descending into a pit]
Je a gbe’ra kuro o ninu ogbun aye [Let’s come out of this conundrum]
A ni e mu’ra, e so’ra o, a ma njin si koto lo o [I say be careful, we’re continually falling into a pit]

We’re trying to fix things from the top to the ground
But the way to solve it is from the ground upwards
Lasting change begins at the individual level
Everyone dips in the pot but no one replenishes
Have you forgotten the rules?
Without love there can be no truth, justice and peace
We must turn our backs on selfishness and greed
Go back to our culture of community - all for one and one for all
Not just every man to his own
We must go back to the land
A nation that cannot feed itself
Will always remain subservient to others
We’re still slaves to material wealth,
We‘re still slaves to religion,
We‘re still slaves to foreign ideals
But I’ve got a song to sing

This land will be a great place one day
A place where dreams come true
Our hope is in the children
Teach them to love their fellow man
And never to judge anyone by the colour of their skin, religion or language
Teach them to be proud of our culture
And the values of hardwork and perseverance, honest and humility
Treat every child like your own
For every child, no matter the circumstances of his birth,
Is a beacon to this glorious future
Teach them to be strong in love
And never look down on themselves
Teach them to be strong
And learn to hold their heads up wherever they may go
Teach the children to sing this song of pride
And let them sing it loud and clear:
I’m not ashamed to be who I am
I’m not ashamed - I’m a proud African
I’m not afraid - I’m a child of The Most High
I’m not ashamed and I’ve got a song to sing

What advice would you give a sacked banker 3?

Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. God allows this so that He can show that there are higher grounds attainable. You may never overcome your fears until you experience a crisis.

It happened to Bisi Olatilo.

The Bisi Olatilo Show (BOS) we know today was borne out of a push, frustration about a cruel system and a resilient fight for survival. BOS is a colossus, a social diary of the crème-de-la-crème and a TV show for those who want to see the latest social fad.

For Olatilo, it didn’t happen overnight. He looked inwards, identified his skills- he could speak and write Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba & pidgin fluently, he could do master of ceremony. So he chose the latter and set up a company, leveraging on his network of contacts. Just like that? But it took time, patience, passion and perseverance plus guts!

Then, from the events he covered, he created a 15-minute Social Diary, which later became the 1 hour show currently syndicated on many local and international TV stations. He also has a 24-hr channel on HiTV. That’s innovation.

He advises that ‘You cannot eat with all the 10 fingers. You must have a residual thing you can fall back on in times of trouble. I was asked to leave [FRCN] and I felt bad about it, but I had a few things to fall back on.’ Hmm.

I believe that the Fortune 500 companies of the future are being built today. What is in your heart to build? Build. “Where is the capital?” you complain. Normal Vincent Peale says, “Empty pockets never held anyone back. Only empty heads and empty hearts can do that.”

Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin II

Please read ‘Mind Your Business’ series again.

THE ANATOMY OF CHANGE

Metamorphosis. I know you have seen this word before. It is a change in form, structure or function due to development. Often times, this process is unpleasant but it is inevitable because it brings growth and fun to life. No one goes through the continuum of life without change.

Picture a beautiful butterfly. It goes through seasons of mutation from egg to larva, larva to pupa, pupa to imago, and then to a colourful insect. Change is life; life does not exist without change. You do not progress by fighting change but by partnering with it. Spencer Johnson suggests, “Don’t over analyse and over complicate things. When the situation changes, change and move on.”

While commenting on why Microsoft upgrades the Windows software every two to three years, Bill Gates said, “The secret to winning in our business is change. I believe a company can stay on top by making the changes at the right time.” No wonder he was the richest man in the world for over a decade!

The Great Recession is an outcome of change. Change in stocks prices, crude oil price and other economic indices. This change has led to other changes like job loss, pay cut, fear, confusion etc. The key to managing a situation such as this is to effectively manage the change- as change may create a positive or negative impact. Change leads to growth. A promotion from Deputy Manager to Manager for example, is an indication of growth. Nothing makes you grow faster than change.

Change is the most constant life factor; nothing is as permanent as change. The Great Recession would not last forever. Times and seasons do not last, tough people do. Not getting used to change causes distress and frustration.

The greatest restriction to change is you. Change your thoughts and the old traditions that no longer hold water. Understand the times. It is not morning when the day breaks. It is morning when you wake up to change, to a reality or to a discovery. Until then, your success has not begun.

How To Relate To Change.
§ Expect change always. Do not wait until it happens.
§ Do not waste time complaining about the change. Why cry over spilled milk?
§ Do not panic, plan. Think; see the silver lining in the change.
§ Move with the change, positively.
§ Be dynamic. Innovate.
§ Enjoy your new level of growth.
§ Watch out for the next change. Do not get used to anything, everything changes.
This recession season requires constant personal adjustments. Change the thoughts, habits and actions that do not align with the times. This however, does not call for warped thinking and actions. Around every problem lies a sound solution.

We see them all around us- organisations, hospitals, trade associations and people who have refused to change and innovate. They become relics of an old generation. You have a great future ahead of you. Your seasons of growth and promotion are hidden in seasons when you will be required to make slight or major adjustments in your opinions, relationships, environment, thought process, vision, values or strategy. You may need to make a detour or become persistent. You may need to network new people or have a new inspiration for living. Each time you see a butterfly, remember change. Make that change now!


GREAT QUOTES

· Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard
· Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out. -John Wooden
· Human beings, by changing the good attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. - William James



· You may email your reactions, questions via this email link: motivation.today@yahoo.com
· Current and past editions of this e-newsletter are available on my blog- http://www.tundehundeyin.blogspot.com/ . You may also post your reactions on the website.
· To register a friend, send “Subscribe” with the e-mail address to motivation.today@yahoo.com
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THIS RECESSION IS FOR YOU!

Motivation Today E-zine, Issue 02, May 2009

“When written in Chinese, the word, ‘crisis’ is composed of
two
characters. One represents danger and the other represents
opportunity.”
- John F. Kennedy

There are two sides to every coin. What you see becomes your reality: head or tail. Your mind is going to play a major role during this economic crisis. Like the rudder that controls a ship, it is going to determine the course of your life. How do you perceive the concept of ‘crisis’? Do you see it as a danger or as an opportunity?

Crisis means unexpected change. Meaning that, if you organise a party for 20 people, then 50 people turn up; it will result in a food crisis. But the reverse would be the case if less than 20 people show up. A crisis introduces new problems. Problems are not walls of limitation but pedestals to new opportunities. What do you see? It is wise to keep your mind on things you want and off the things you do not want.

Why Is This Recession For You?
1. Redistribution of Wealth
Many wealthy people have held on to wealth for too long that they are so greedy not to establish businesses that will create jobs and opportunities for the poor. They stash it away on Wall Street and in Swiss accounts. Some of it is already changing hands. People with vision who harness their potentials by selling products or providing services are inevitably provided with the opportunities to trap some of this wealth. This recession is providing opportunities for those who can see the movement of money. Salaried jobs would not provide this opportunity though. Have you realised that Mike Adenuga, Aliko Dangote and Femi Otedola- the wealthiest men in this nation fall within the same age group? This is because they seized the opportunities that showed up at a certain season of their lives; sometime in the 90s. They chose to stand out of the crowd. The new millionaires and billionaires of the next decade are emerging during this recession. Same goes for the new have-nots. The world is in a very delicate season.

2. The Law of Recognition
Many times, you do not realise an opportunity until you lose one. Sharpen your inner sight; your insight. This is the time to process correctly, the information you glean from the mass media, seminars, fora and via word-of-mouth. Success is said to be 10% information and 90% perception. Interpret what you hear, see and read, and convert same to income.

3. Risks
Increase your risk appetite, with every opportunity comes risks. Do not be afraid to take calculated risks in trying new things/ideas. Do not sit on the fence or get stuck to your rut. The fear of death should discourage people from air travel but the aviation industry is still thriving. The fear of stillbirth should have stopped your mother from having you, but she still tried anyway. Close your eyes, confront your fears and act. It is better to die trying than not even making an effort to try.

4. Creativity and Innovation
New products and services are usually products of problems. Every problem-solver requires creative and innovative solutions in combating challenges. Leke Alder opines that, “when you mix your dreams with your skills and your problems and the problems of others you’re concerned about, you have a business idea cooking.” Develop your problem-solving skills. Do not chicken-out at the sight of walls, face them head-long. If they do not fall, try another solution. You cannot solve new problems with old methods.

5. The Law of Attraction
You attract to yourself whatever you think about. You will always attract to yourself your most dominating thoughts and obsessions. If you think wealth in recession, you will attract opportunities that will create it. If you think scarcity, then you will attract it. So, what do you think?

6. World Advancement
Because of new problems that are being created during this economic downturn, new products and services will emerge that will move the world further. This is the time for young professionals to embrace responsibility. Many rigid-thinking companies will fold up and there will emerge companies of the future. Are you thinking glocally?

7. Giving
“Don’t get all you can, can all you get and sit on the can”, goes an old saying. One of the causes of the meltdown is greed, so avoid the path. Give to those less privileged than you are. Give opportunities, give hope, give information, give money, give jobs, give service and give what you have free. There would never be a better yesterday for givers.

This recession is for you. If you believe and break free from your comfort zone, from fear, distrust, greed, rigidity, despair, ignorance, trauma and retrogressive mindsets, you will indeed reap the benefits hidden in it. Register your dream company, market a product or service, find opportunities, be ready to change, network and collaborate with stronger people. Finding nothing to do is not an option. Take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime moment in history.

Tunde Alabi-Hundeyin II

GREAT QUOTES
Ø “The optimist sees the rose and not the thorns; the pessimist stares at the thorns, oblivious of the rose” - Kahlil Gibran
Ø “You can never solve a problem at the level it was created.” - Myles Monroe

• You may email your reactions, questions via this email link: motivation.today@yahoo.com
  Current and past editions of this e-zine are available on my blog- http://www.tundehundeyin.blogspot.com/ . You may also post your reactions on the website.
  To register a friend, send “Subscribe” with the e-mail address to motivation.today@yahoo.com
  To be removed from this e-mail list, send “Unsubscribe” to motivation.today@yahoo.com