TODAY IS YESTERDAY'S TOMORROW

The problem with waiting until tomorrow is that when it finally arrives, it is called today. Today is yesterday's tomorrow.

The question is what did we do with its opportunity? All too often we will waste tomorrow as we wasted yesterday, and as we are wasting today. All that could have been accomplished can easily elude us, despite our intentions, until we inevitably discover that the things that might have been have slipped from our embrace a single, unused day at a time.

Each of us must pause frequently to remind ourselves that the clock is ticking. The same clock that began to tick from the moment we drew our first breath will also someday cease.
Time is the great equalizer of all mankind. It has taken away the best and the worst of us without regard for either. Time offers opportunity but demands a sense of urgency.

When the game of life is finally over, there is no second chance to correct our errors. The clock that is ticking away the moments of our lives does not care about winners and losers. It does not care about who succeeds or who fails. It does not care about excuses, fairness or equality. The only essential issue is how we played the game.

Regardless of a person's current age, there is a sense of urgency that should drive them into action now - this very moment. We should be constantly aware of the value of each and every moment of our lives - moments that seem so insignificant that their loss often goes unnoticed. We still have all the time we need. We still have lots of chances - lots of opportunities - lots of years to show what we can do.

For most of us, there will be a tomorrow, a next week, a next month, and a next year. But unless we develop a sense of urgency, those brief windows of time will be sadly wasted, as were the weeks and months and years before them. There isn't an endless supply!
So, as you think of your dreams and goals of your future tomorrow, begin today to take those very important first steps to making them all come to life.

Carpe Diem! Seize this Day!

What each of us is doing this minute is the most important event in history for us. We have decided to invest our resources in this opportunity rather than in any other. It is helpful to remember this when we consider the passage of time.

As the years pass, I am acutely aware that the bird of time is on the wing. At my fiftieth high school reunion, I saw old people who claimed to be my former classmates. We all had big name tags printed in capital letters so we wouldn't have to squint with our reading glasses on trying to associate the name with each well-traveled face. It was only yesterday that I was really enjoying high school. What had happened to the five decades in between? Where had they flown?

To the side of the bandstand, where the big-band sound of the late 1940s and 50s blared our favorite top-ten hits, there was a poster with a printed verse for all of us to see. I read the words out loud:
"There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

“One of these days is Yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday. We cannot undo a single act we performed; we cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.

“The other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow, with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise, and poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control. Tomorrow's sun will rise, either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds; but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is as yet unborn. This leaves only one day: Today.

“Anyone can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities - Yesterday and Tomorrow - that we break down. It is not the experience of Today that drives us mad, it is remorse and bitterness for something which happened Yesterday and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring. Let us, therefore, live this one full Today."

Malcolm Forbes believed the important thing is never to say die until you're dead, and he lived that example to the hilt. It is, as we realize when we suddenly attend our fiftieth high school reunion, a short journey. But it also is difficult to be depressed and active at the same time. So get active! And make today your best day ever!

Attitude is Everything

The process of human change begins within us. We all have tremendous potential. We all desire good results from our efforts. Most of us are willing to work hard and to pay the price that success and happiness demand.

Each of us has the ability to put our unique human potential into action and to acquire a desired result. But the one thing that determines the level of our potential, that produces the intensity of our activity, and predicts the quality of the result we receive is our attitude.

Attitude determines how much of the future we are allowed to see. It decides the size of our dreams and influences our determination when we are faced with new challenges. No other person on earth has dominion over our attitude. People can affect our attitude by teaching us poor thinking habits or unintentionally misinforming us or providing us with negative sources of influence, but no one can control our attitude unless we voluntarily surrender that control.

No one else "makes us angry." We make ourselves angry when we surrender control of our attitude. What someone else may have done is irrelevant. We choose, not they. They merely put our attitude to a test. If we select a volatile attitude by becoming hostile, angry, jealous or suspicious, then we have failed the test. If we condemn ourselves by believing that we are unworthy, then again, we have failed the test.

If we care at all about ourselves, then we must accept full responsibility for our own feelings. We must learn to guard against those feelings that have the capacity to lead our attitude down the wrong path and to strengthen those feelings that can lead us confidently into a better future.

If we want to receive the rewards the future holds in trust for us, then we must exercise the most important choice given to us as members of the human race by maintaining total dominion over our attitude. Our attitude is an asset, a treasure of great value, which must be protected accordingly. Beware of the vandals and thieves among us who would injure our positive attitude or seek to steal it away.

Having the right attitude is one of the basics that success requires. The combination of a sound personal philosophy and a positive attitude about ourselves and the world around us gives us an inner strength and a firm resolve that influences all the other areas of our existence.

How to Build Momentum and Stay Motivated Every Day!

I'm so mad at myself!" she said as we began our coaching call. "I made a goal to get ten new clients last week and I only got three," she lamented.

The frustration in her voice was something I used to experience as well - until I came to a profound realization: Focusing On Your Results Is Dangerous.

I used to keep charts all over my office to fill in the names of the people who signed up for my Coaching Program and Retreats. Even after hours of marketing efforts, I would feel defeated if I wasn't able to fill in all of those spaces at the end of the week.

My definition of success was only based on results. I was placing all my focus and energy on something I had very little control over. Think about it; you really can't make your prospect buy your product or say yes to your opportunity.

So why give so much power to an element that you cannot control? What you can do is show your prospect enough intriguing information, in a passionate way, on a consistent basis, that will touch, move, and inspire them to make their own choice.

The only factor you have complete control over is your efforts!So let's talk today about how you can shift your mindset, release the control the results, and focus on your efforts. First, decide how many people you are willing to share your product or opportunity with. Again, the only part of the sales process you have control over is your efforts and the quantity of prospecting attempts you will make.

What is that number for you? Powerfully choose how many people you are willing to prospect and be fiercely committed to it.Next, realize that the other aspect of selling you have control over is the number of no's you are willing to take without giving up; or better said, how many no's you're willing to take and still stay motivated, excited, and inspired.

The most effective way to do this is to embrace the Law of Average (LOA). Think of it scientifically. How many prospects do you need to share your opportunity with to get a yes? In other words... How many no's do you have to receive to get a yes? For most sales people that number is 10.

When I realized this truth, I got freed up of the frustrations that come for 'getting a no'. Getting a no is just a part of selling. The more yes's you get and the bigger you want to grow your business, the more no's you've got to be willing to receive!When I was in Network Marketing I did an interesting experiment that helped me focus on my efforts and stay motivated. First, I knew that, on average, I made $500 on each sale.

Then I divided that amount by 10, the number of no's I had to received in order to get a yes (L.O.A.). That meant I made $50 every time I got a no! I actually taped a $50 bill to my phone and every time I got a no, I'd hang up the phone and say, "Thanks for the fifty bucks!"Free yourself up from trying so hard to convince, persuade, and control your prospects. Let go of the results. Put your energy and power into your efforts and you will be an incredible force. Your prospect will sense your unique and confident posture and will want what you have.

Think of how powerful you will be when you release what you don't have control over and fervently grasp what you do. The only factor you have complete control over is your efforts!What this really takes is a shift in your mindset.

Evaluate the goals you've set and discern if they depend on your efforts or results. Instead of setting the goal of five new business associates, set the goal to put 50 new prospects in your recruiting pipeline. Instead of setting a goal of selling 100 widgets, set your goal to put your widget in front of 10,000 new prospects.

The incredible success I have experienced since I shifted attention to efforts instead of results has been nothing short of amazing! And it will be the same for you...The only factor you have complete control over is your efforts! And your efforts are all you need to get the incredible results you desire.

IMPORTANCE OF A MENTOR

“Seek direction from one who is already there”-Old Zulu Saying

ONE question I am often asked is, “Dayo, you talk and write a lot about your mentors, why do you need mentors?” I often reply that my mentors help in giving me direction and clarity of purpose.

They are three of them and they are men of integrity and honour. Two of them are Nigerians and the third is an Asian. They are: Professor Pat Utomi who mentors me on entrepreneurship and corporate strategy, Richie Dayo Johnson who mentors me on public speaking and Joe De Souza on finance and family values .

Professor Pat Utomi is the Director of Centre for Applied Economics at the Lagos Business School, Pan African University, Lagos, and one of African’s top-flight strategy scholars. He is a Political Economist and Management Consultant. He sits on the board of 36 blue chip companies ( 16 of them as Chairman ). He was a Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria before he was 30. He is also a well-sought after Public Speaker. He taught me how to balance work and family. He often tells me that “hard work does not kill;” “man’s self worth outweighs is net worth” and “what determines a man’s long term worth is his integrity and competence.”

Richie Dayo Johnson is a man of style and panache; his credo is that you must be passionate about doing things well and exceeding expectations. He taught the art of motivational speaking and introduced me to the Toastmasters Club where people learn the art of public speaking. Today, I am the President of one of the toastmaster’s clubs in Croydon. His two favourites quotes are: “At the end of our lives we never regret at things we failed at but the things we hoped for bur never attempted” and “an effective plan executed today is better than a perfect plan delayed till next year.”

Joe De Souza is a Speaker and certified Accountant. A man of passion and compassion; he has experienced many adversities, yet he has turned them into success. A devout Catholic, he is committed to his health and family. He told me no matter how hard I work I should always take good care of my health. He taught me that my setback or obstacle that appears in my life should be seen as an opportunity for growth. He is my financial adviser and he educated me on the essence of having multiple streams of income.

Can you believe that one person can make a big difference in the outcome of your life?
Would Tiger Woods be the legend he is today without the influence of his father, Earl Woods, who is credited with preparing Tiger to becoming a professional golfer?
When super- successful people tell their story, they always mention how important one or more individuals helped to shape their success. Bill Clinton said meeting President John Kennedy when he was just 16-years-old led him to decide to pursue a life in politics.

Tony Robbins recounts that as a 19-year-old he got his first glimpse of life as a personal development guru when he sat in a Jim Rohn seminar. Napoleon Hill, author of the classic “Think and Grow Rich,” said that the book came about as a result of the influence of tycoon Andrew Carnegie.

According to Chris Widener, “One whop wants to achieve success should beware of pride. Pride can make things so difficult sometimes – particularly when you are trying to find your way to that destination we call success. Like proud, obstinate husbands, we refuse to stop and ask for direction! The best way to success and by far the list painful is to learn from someone who is already there. They can show us the way, give us tricks of the trade and encourage us not to worry or over-react when things get tough or go wrong, thus be a great guiding light. What do they call these people? Mentors and coaches and you should have one!”

You might ask, “How does someone get a mentor?” Well, sit down and identify someone who is already where you want to be. I don’t care how big or small they are. Dream BIG! Make a list of ten of these people. Start with the one you want to learn from first. Now, contact them and ask if you can speak to them on the phone or in person. If they can’t or won’t, go to the next person on the list until you hit someone who will take the time to give you direction.

The influence of one person CAN make a gigantic difference in your future. This is why you need a mentor. This article is specially dedicated to Prof. Pat Utomi on his 50th birthday. Happy birthday, Prof! You are indeed a living example that those who are really successful are never afraid to share the secret of their success.

May the Lord increase your greatness.

AFRICA 10, A supercomputer genius

New African, Sept. 2004 LONDON - Philip Emeagwali was voted the 35th greatest African of all time in a survey for New African magazine, it was announced on August 26, 2004. Emeagwali also ranked as the greatest African scientist ever.

The science and technology categories were topped by Emeagwali and Imhotep, respectively. Emeagwali is the scientist that helped give birth to the supercomputer, the technology that spawned the Internet. Imhotep was the multi-genius that designed Egypt's first pyramid.
The list was topped by South Africa's Nelson Mandela and Ghana's Kwame Nkrumah.
Emeagwali (third from bottom right) ranked 35th and the greatest African scientist ever (from pages 16, 18, 20, 22).

The London-based magazine said responses flooded in after the survey was launched last December to nominate the top 100 most influential Africans or people of African descent.
Heroes of independence movements in Africa and African-American figures in the United States figure prominently on the list.

Patrice Lumumba, Congo's first post-colonial prime minister, ranks sixth, followed by US civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

Pele, the legendary Brazilian soccer star, comes in 17th, followed by Jamaican reggae singer Bob Marley, numbering among those called "Diasporans" by New African.
Radical civil rights leader Malcolm X, at ninth, is a rank above United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, from Ghana, who comes just ahead of US boxer Muhammad Ali.
Few women made the cut. The highest-ranked female, at 12th, is Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, former wife of the South African president. Others include the dynamic duo of tennis, American sisters Venus and Serena Williams (together ranked 73rd), and ancient Egyptian queen Nefertiti at number 81.

The magazine noted that most of the top 100 are from Africa's post-colonial period.
"Have people forgotten Africa's history? Must this worry us, as a people?" it asked.
The list appears in the August-September issue of New African, which has a circulation of roughly 30, 000 across dozens of countries. It said this is the first such survey it has carried out in a decade. -- South African Press Association & Agence France-Presse, Sapa-AFP (with contributions from other sources)

The science and technology categories of "100 Greatest Africans" were topped by Emeagwali (below) and Imhotep (above), respectively. Imhotep was deified nearly 5,000 years ago and worshipped by early Christians as one with Christ. Imhotep has been called the "father of medicine," the world's first recorded scientist, and patron of ancient scribes. James Henry Breasted wrote that Imhotep "was the patron spirit of the later scribes, to whom they regularly poured out a libation from the water-jug of their writing outfit before beginning their work."