Iron Sharpeneth Iron, But Sandpaper Blunteth

When it comes to building successful relationships with others it basically comes down to one thing – respect.

And that respect is reflected in the way we relate to the other party. If you or I enter into the relationship with one thing in mind – ‘what can I get out of it?’ – you will soon find that you are building on some shaky ground.

However, if we approach the relationship from the viewpoint of how can I bring benefit to that other person – then you have immediately created an environment whereby a relationship can be developed. In simplistic terms, it’s more about the give rather than the get.

We cannot force others. We must not manipulate. Love says that we must accept people for who they are and provide them time and an environment where they can grow and develop.

‘Iron sharpeneth iron’ speaks of two strong individuals coming together – and through their interaction there is a spark and there is a further sharpening as two minds meet with a common sense of giving at the centre of their interaction.

Sandpaper? Sandpaper tells. Iron invites. Ever been rubbed up the wrong way? Ever been in a situation where the intention of one of the party is to get, and where there’s very little give? There is no sharpening here. There is only blunting. Ultimately there will be no relationship.

So be a giver. Be a sharpener. Add the spark to all your relationships by discarding the sandpaper and by administering only the iron – the iron of love and respect

3 Keys To A Successful Life

‘Go deep, work hard and always be open to learning.’ David Rockefeller Jnr

There is no pill for success. There is no shortcut. There is no fast track – well not for a lasting success. We have all seen cases where fast success has in a few years been derailed. What we want to experience is a success that lasts a lifetime, and that is passed on to the next generation.

And that is why Rockefeller’s statement is so powerful.

So let’s take a closer look at what it will take to lead a successful life.

1. Go Deep

Someone once told me that if you ever want to become passionate about any particular subject then you need to dig deeper. I have personally found that the deeper I dig the more knowledgeable and excited I become. True lasting success is not built upon that which has been slapped together on top of a shallow foundation constructed on a sandy surface. True success, that builds and grows, is built upon foundations dug out of the rock, and that is accompanied by deep investigative and consistent study. I am reminded of the depth of foundations required for skyscrapers. The higher you want to go, the deeper you must go.

2. Work Hard

I know that we have been presented with the proposal such as the 4 hour week and the cliche to work smart. But at the end of the day, if you love what you do, you will work harder than the hardest. It is actually not work at all. It is a place whereby you can develop character, skills, relationships, as well as a future for both your life and for those whom you love. Of course, in the midst of this it is important to learn how to work smarter. Learn to delegate. Learn to use technology’s gifts to your advantage. But at the same time work hard at what you do with a spirit of excellence.

3. Always Be Open To Learning

Since I left school I have learnt so much more than I ever learnt within any educational institution. That is why I continue to read, to listen and to attend seminars that expand my brain. The more I learn the more I realize that I don’t know. You and I will never graduate from the school of learning – and with a world that continues to change at the speed of thought, we must always keep an open mind so that we can analyze all that we see, touch or hear. Even when I hear things that I don’t understand, or even disagree with, I seek to learn. And one of my greatest teachers appears whenever I make a mistake. Rather than burying myself in sorrow or regret I ask the question, ‘What is the lesson that I can learn from this?’

So go deep, work hard, and for all your days upon planet earth, always be open to learning. These are your three keys to a successful life.

Limitless

I love the word ‘limitless’. It simply means ‘without limits’.

The greatest advantage of having a creative spirit is that life is only as limited as your imagination. But if you take time to imagine on a regular basis, your future and the possibilities therein are limitless. That is why it is so important to take time out each day to dream, to visualize, and to imagine the possibilities.

Don’t allow life’s circumstances, or your job, or your business, or your current circle of friends, or your financial status, or your family members to hem you in as it were. Don’t be as the sheep who are restricted to one paddock surrounded by fences. Be a fence jumper and leap towards the possibilities that life has for you.

For if you tap into the unlimited resource of your mind and spirit, that was created by an infinite God, you have immediately stepped into the realm of the limitless. The mind of man is elastic and can expand far beyond its present state, if you simply imagine.

We are only limited by the way we think. Open up the floodgates of your mind and allow for the overflow. Pull down the gates. Destroy the fences and dream BIG. Dare to hope. Dare to dream. Dare to believe. Dare to do the undo-able. Dare to turn the impossible into the possible.

Dare to reach the stars, and if you only land on the moon then you have done what only few others have done – but even in failing you will have done so much more than the billions who submitted to the lies that life was limited by your bank account, your heritage, your geography, or your culture.

Declare today – ‘I am limitless. There are no limits on my life – a life that is full of incredible possibility.’

Don’t Get Run Over

I came across a great quote by Will Rogers recently: ‘ Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.’

There is so much truth in this quote. We must continue to move forward. We must never stand still. This is true in business. This is true in life.

And how do you keep moving?

Well here are five simple ways to keep you moving:

• Surround yourself with a team of people younger than yourself. The great thing about youthful individuals is that they have no understanding of the word impossible. Before they’re told that they can’t, they have.
• Surround yourself with a board of reference which is made up of more successful people than yourself; those who have already achieved what you would desire to achieve.
• Make dreaming a key part of your daily habits.
• Wake up every morning with a thankful heart.
• Speak positive words only. And as a recent speaker whom I heard said: For every current view of the situation you have, create a better view of that same situation. It will change your life.

The How To’s Of Time Management & Life Efficiency

In the early 1900s when Ivy Lee advised the managers of Bethlehem Steel to list their top priorities and to then work on tasks in that prioritized order, not proceeding until a task was completed, he was rewarded handsomely.

Charles M. Schwab, who was the head of the company at the time, paid Lee $25,000 because of the power of his advice that positively effected the performance of his managers and of his entire company.

Personally, I have found that the discipline of writing a prioritized list of the six major things that I need to do for the next day,  at the end of each day numbered 1,2,3,4,5,6, has helped me to work with greater purpose, direction and efficiency.

Time management is really about life efficiency.

And when thinking about life efficiency I am drawn to the Pareto Principle. Also known as the 80-20 rule, the Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto observed in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. He even developed the principle further by observing that 20% of the pea pods in his garden contained 80% of the peas.

It is also a common rule of thumb in business that 80% of sales come from 20% of your clients. Roughly 80% of your prioritized efforts come from 20% of your activities.

The Pareto Principle was a prominent part of the 2007 bestseller ‘ The 4-Hour Workweek’ by Tim Ferris. Ferris recommended that we should focus our attention on the 20% of our activities that contribute to 80% of our income. In addition, he also recommended that we should fire 20% of customers who take up the majority of our time and cause the most trouble.

Time Management is so much about living a life that is efficient – concentrating on what is important; what produces, and discarding the rest.

Time Management = Life Efficiency.

So make every second count. For you and I only have time for one life

How To Be Successful People

Successful people are defined by what they say, what they do, and by who they are.

So here are three outstanding qualities demonstrated by the lives of those I perceive as being successful people.

1. Successful People Are Positive

It doesn’t take long to determine whether someone’s successful or not. Simply listen to their speech. If negative is not part of their vocabulary, then be assured that you are in the presence of someone who is successful. They refuse to hang around negative people, listen to negative reports, and make it their habit to look for the good in others.

2. Successful People Are Responsible

You can trust a successful person. They keep appointments. They apologize when they make mistakes. They refuse to blame others. The buck stops with them, and they operate their lives within the framework of a win/win philosophy.

3. Successful People Are Pro-Active

Two qualities  found within a successful person is that they are not inactive, and they are not reactive. Inactive people wait for someone else to make things happen. Reactive people are wired so tight that they are ready to explode at any moment that they find themselves being crossed. However, successful people make things happen in a calm, cool and collected manner. Before they respond they make certain that they have all the facts – but are at the same time the first to make a forward step.

So live a successful life today by being positive, responsible and pro-active, and together we can create a better world for all of us to live in.

Snakes & Ladders

It’s a bit like life. Snakes take you down or backwards, and ladders take you up or forwards. In life, after you have experienced the exhilaration of a ladder, it is quite possible that you could bump into a snake. But on the flip-side, after experiencing the humbling emitted by an encounter with a snake, your next move could land you at the foot of a ladder.

However, at the end of the day, it’s not the number of ladders or snakes that you face in your life that will determine your fate.

Your future in the game of life is determined by one thing, and one thing only – movement. Just keep moving ever forward. Don’t stop at the foot of a snake and throw away the dice. Just keep moving. Get up again, and keep moving.

Oh sure, you might like to pause for a moment to recharge the batteries, or even have a little cry, but then persist, persist, persist, and on the way learn, learn, learn from your mistakes or misfortunes – until you reach the finishing line as a seasoned victor.

Built To Build

Destruction is not the purpose of humanity, for all humans have been built to build.

And what are we to build?

1. We Are To Build Each Other

An encouraging word, a pat on the back, an uplifting text or email can change the course of one life in an instant. Be a builder, not a destroyer.

2. We Are To Build Strong Families

A nation is only as strong as the family unit. With the divorce epidemic rampant in our midst there is a need for us to stand up and say no to the ‘D’ word and to say yes to the ‘F’ word – and that word is FORGIVENESS.

3.  We Are To Build Strong Economies

And how do we do that? By working diligently, by giving generously, by providing excellent service, by helping others, and by putting them first in all we do. For those in business – if you serve your customers and your staff well, then they will serve you well. And if you work for a boss, then take ownership of the business and act accordingly as though it is your very own.

4. We Are To Build A Strong Faith

As a Muslim my faith comes from hearing and doing God’s word. There is no other way to develop my faith. And to my faith must always be added corresponding action, for faith without works is dead. I must practice what I preach, or else I am nothing but a hypocrite.

Make it your mission to be a builder, for you have been built to build.

Avoiding Splinters

‘Sitting on the fence can only ever get you one thing. SPLINTERS!’

Decide to decide and you won’t slide. You’ll soar. There is something wonderful about making a decision and then acting on it. It empowers you. It builds confidence. It grows you. A decision maker has strong character and is in fact filled with leadership qualities because they are at the helm of their ship. So make it your practice to be ever more definite in the decision making process. Gather all the facts through thorough research, interview those who have done what you want to do and been where you want to go, but then trust yourself as you make a bold decision for your life. Don’t leave the decision making process to others, because this will only lead to one thing; a life that you did not plan on living. It’s your life, so decide what you want to do, leap the fence and go do it.

The Optimist And the Pessimist

The world is clearly divided between those who choose to see the best, and those who see the worst.

Napoleon Hill once wrote, ‘Every adversity, every failure, every heartache carries with it the seed of an equivalent or greater benefit.’ He was definitely an optimist.

An optimist calls a half-filled glass half full. A pessimist will declare it as half empty. An optimist sees a pile of bricks and envisages a castle, whereas a pessimist will only think of the hard work ahead. The mouth of an optimist is positive and uplifting. The tongue of a pessimist is negative and critical.

So where do you lie? On what side of the fence do you inhabit?

The optimist asks, ‘How can we improve this?’ The pessimist complains, ‘Why does bad stuff happen all the time?’The pessimist sees problems. The optimist seeks out solutions.

Our world, in this day and age, needs a world full of optimists.

So line up your positive speech with a positve mindset that will create a positive result for you, your family, and for those whom you come in contact with on a daily basis. Today is the day of the uplift in preference to the pull down.

And I don’t know about you – but I’d rather spread a bit of sunshine any day in preference to carrying around dark clouds, thunder storms, and always being the one to dump a wet blanket on other people’s parades.

Finding your Hot button

What’s your hot button? What inspires you? What keeps you up at night? What are your dreaming about while you’re wide awake?

Have you discovered it yet?

Without finding your hot button, you could possibly die of frost bite – or send everyone around you to sleep. We were born to push our hot button. We were born  to add value to our family, our friends and our world. We weren’t born to be put on ice.

We were born to be red hot, to be ablaze with a burning passion and a fiery desire to make a significant difference every single day that we live here on planet earth.

So what are my words to you today?

Defrost.

Melt.

Ignite.

Burn.

Make it your mission in life to discover your mission.

You don’t need permission, for you have been given a commission by your creator to add value to every task that you undertake, every life that you touch, and every project you complete.

No matter how insignificant the world might tell you about the task you have been assigned – treat it as a royal command that was issued for you, and only you to undertake.

Be light. Be salt. Be a city set on a hill. Be generous. Be excellent. Be YOU! Be the one who has found their hot button, and who is aflame with excitement as they approach each new day – ever expectant that great things are about to happen.

Full Self-Esteem Ahead

The more I study successful people, the more I realize that success, or rather success as we perceive it and have thrust upon us via the media, is an incredibly fleeting thing.

To me, success that lasts a moment and then turns into devastating defeat and disaster, is pointless success. It’s a total waste of a human life. Far better no success than to have a result such as that in a life.

To me, true success is the success that lasts. It is the type of success that allows us to live well and to live long. In addition, it allows us to leave a living legacy for the generations that follow us. That, to me, is the true nature of true success.

Success that leads to self-destruction is not success at all. It is simply self-destruction. Success that leads to a fat bank account and yet brings about a breakdown in relationships is not success at all. It’s a crying shame.

After the glitz and the glamour has faded, one of the most important things that you can do is to learn how to live at peace with yourself and with those around you; those who love you for whom you are.

True success has everything to do with the place that self-esteem plays in your life. It also has to do with how you perceive yourself and accept yourself.

Now, before we discuss this any further, let’s take a closer look at the word self-esteem.

SELF-ESTEEM, in the Webster’s Dictionary, means esteem or respect for oneself; an excessively favourable opinion of oneself.

And as esteem makes up half of the above word, let’s find out the meaning of that as well.

ESTEEM means to have a high regard for; to respect; to admire; to regard as having a certain value. Most success sabotages occur because the one who has experienced a measure of success, in one area of their life, has failed to sufficiently nurture their self-esteem. It is vital that when a success event is over, that the one who succeeded learns to live a life that is full and satisfying, with or without the past success.

Don’t run out of steam. Make sure that you take great care of your own personal self-esteem, first and foremost, so that you can always find yourself traveling on track, FULL SELF-ESTEEM AHEAD. If you live your life being ruled by what others think, or don’t think about you, you will continue to live a life that is bound by the opinions of mankind. Although we are to listen to the sounds of our critics, it is so much more important to listen to the beat of your own heart.

Walk in humility, but don’t allow yourself to become a doormat. You were created for greatness and it is vital that you treat yourself with a great deal of respect. This is the central theme that makes up for the development and maintenance of a powerful self-esteem.
So here are four steps that will help you to build into your life a strong and healthy self-esteem.

1. HIGH REGARD
Hold yourself in high regard. Think high thoughts about yourself. This has nothing to do with arrogance nor has it anything to do with flaunting pompous attitudes. Rather, it has everything to do with giving yourself credit where credit is due. You are a unique individual who has something of incredible value to offer this world and its inhabitants. See it for what it is and believe it. See yourself as royalty. Yes, you as a queen or a king or a prince or a princess.

Visualise yourself as royalty.

2. RESPECT
Never deride yourself. Let me explain this in simple language. Don’t ever put yourself down. Watch your mouth. Show yourself the respect that you deserve by speaking only good, kind and wholesome words about yourself. No matter what situation you find yourself in, never allow yourself to be disrespectful to yourself. It is poisonous and is an abominable practice. Negative words will destroy you if you continue on with such destructive habits. If you choose to share these negative words about yourself with others, you’ll quickly lose friends as well.

Those who love themselves are always better lovers. They breed the spirit of friendship wherever they go because they have a healthy respect for who they are and what they do.
They have learnt the art of positive speech about others and about themselves.

NEVER DERIDE, ALWAYS TAKE PRIDE

3. ADMIRE
Admiration is a wonderful thing. As a young man I would admire certain people. Some of them were teachers. Others were sporting personalities, while as a teenager I began to idolize singers and musicians. Whom do I admire today? I don’t admire any billionaires, millionaires, movie stars, rock stars, politicians, royal families, sporting heroes in particular. At this point in my life I tend to admire those who practice what they preach. I admire real people.

But before you admire anybody, learn to admire yourself. Whatever you do, don’t compare yourself to anyone else.

You are you, and it is you who you should stand first in line to receive your autograph.

Admire what you look like, what you talk like and what you do. Admire your strengths and continue to make it your usual practice of expressing that admiration through reward and recognition. Applaud your small successes and praise your huge successes. And always take time out to pamper the inner you that influences the outer you that everybody sees. Care for your spirit, soul and body is so important if you are to live a truly successful life.

BE THE FIRST TO STAND IN LINE TO GET YOUR AUTOGRAPH

4. VALUE
When you value something you will always take greater care of it. However, when you don’t value something, you are less likely to tend the same amount of care on that thing of value. That is why I encourage my friends and younger brothers to earn their own money and to purchase the luxuries that they want for their own personal use. My wife buys the clothes that they need, but makes them purchase any additional fashionable clothes that they want.

A millionairess whom I know once said that she would always purchase regular clothing for her children. But if they ever wanted fashion designer clothes, then the children would have to make up the difference from their own savings.

Our experience has been that our children or younger brother/sister value the things that they have personally worked for, much more than the things that have been handed to them without any effort on their part.

Expend the effort of developing a healthy self-esteem in your life by showing yourself that you really value YOU.

Championing Courage

Courage is not the absence of fear and is not formed in the land of ease.
Courage is formed on the battlefield of life. It is the outworking of faith in the lives of those who dare to step out of the lounge called comfortable and onto the field called uncomfortable.
A courageous champion is one who steps forth while the butterflies are still flying into formation. Courage is demonstrated by those who could possibly fail in the pursuit of victory. And yet they are wise enough in their preparation, diligent in their research, and even have a plan B just in case their first plan falters. They wisely position themselves to win. Courageous champions are not courageous fools.

And what of mistakes? These are the courageous champion’s friend from whom they learn much. But yet they don’t allow the impossible or the improbable to hinder their forward progress.
They are the ones who start early and those who finish late. They are the ones who prepare, so that when opportunity introduces itself to them, and it does, they are positioned to succeed and to be hailed as courageous champions.
But the courageous know secretly, that while all others have slept they have been awakened to the exciting possibilities that life has to offer those who demonstrate courage in their daily lives.

Meeting With The Chairman Of The Board

I love my five times meeting a day with Chairman of the Board. It would have to be the highlight of my day. It is the oxygen, the blood stream. It is the place of dreams. It is the source of hope. It is the realm of peace. It is the launch pad. It is the shelter. It is the rock. It is the comfort. It is the hug. It is the kiss. It is the joy. It is the tenderness of tears. It is the thunder. It is the expression of love.

I don’t know how people survive without this refuge.

It is the still small voice. It is where I draw my next breath. It is where life changing words guide my life. It is the source of reality. It is the war room where strategies and plans are birthed. It is the central nervous system of my very existence, because it is the place where I meet Him; the creator of all things, the inventor, the mastermind, the Lord of life, the King of the universe.

So it is here that I cuddle up to him and nestle deep in his arms – sometimes laughing, sometimes crying. It is here that I am fearless, comforted, restored, renewed and where I am called to obey His instructions in the knowledge that I will hear his beautiful voice, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ and where he calls me his child.

Breakout To Victory

As I hear the stories of others, and consider my own story and my own journey, I have realized that the periods where I found myself stuck, stagnant or wallowing in mediocrity have been a result of my willingness to stay under the circumstance rather than rising above it and taking command.

But in order to live a full life I have discovered that I need to refrain from bending my knee as a slave to the circumstances. I choose now to rise up as a Five Star General and take control. I listen to my genius. I re-identify my uniqueness. I take stock of my shelf full of talents and develop them. I survey within, while at the same time observing my surrounds. I dig trenches, re-arm myself for battle, create a battle plan and then charge.

These have been my breakout moments – drawing upon the power invested in me by my Creator. Aided by His courage I have declared, ‘I might have lost the battle, but I’m going to win the war’. I am going to re-group, re-equip and regain my self respect. I am going to go again! No matter if it is the eleventh hour, or the sun is setting on all those around me, I will blaze. I will fire. I will tap into that genius. I will dig deep within until I find that jewel – that peculiar diamond that was deposited in me the very day I was born.


Out of six billion there is only one smile like mine, one thought like mine, one personality and one voice like mine. So I choose to speak. And no matter how the world may respond, or even at times try to gag me, I will shout above the crowd. I shall be heard. For this is my breakout. This is my liberty and this is my birthright.

The mistakes of the past will not bury me as dirt fills a grave, but rather the more dirt thrust upon me the more I will stamp my feet in protest, and the higher I will rise. I will stand head and shoulders above the dust. I will soar further and reach farther beyond my wildest dreams and my greatest hopes. This is my breakout. This is my divine destiny – my life for the taking.

As Emerson wrote so eloquently ‘no matter how often defeated, you are born to victory!’ Choose to break out to victory. Victory is at your mercy and will yield by sharing her spoils with you. Make it your decree that you will not cease fighting until victory is yours.

The Longevity Of Positivity

What our world needs now, more than ever, are positive role models and the continued dispersion of the positivity philosophy.Too many live their lives in a constant and unending cycle of despair and regret.This does not have to be so.

By simply changing our perspective we can gain a whole new slant on the world in which we live and on the future that lies before each and every one of us.

The world is as you see it. Just like the person who looks at a glass of water that they declare is half full or half empty. It just depends on which way you perceive it and how you respond with your mind and your mouth.


I personally believe in the longevity of positivity. Why? Because I have made it my life’s purpose to study mankind and in finetuning my study I have also become a student of success.

Through all the suffering that mankind has been subjected to, throughout the thousands of years that man has inhabited the earth, the light of positivity has continued to always shine through.

It is a fact: that which is positive ultimately outlives and outlasts that which is negative. Good conquers evil. Love destroys hate. Peace reigns supreme over war. Positivity nullifies the power of negativity.

Oh there will still be those who will seek to destroy. But we must not be moved by this. We must stand firm and strong on the foundations of our positive belief.

History confirms that there is a law of sowing and reaping in place. This law cannot be broken. Those who seek to sow destruction will be destroyed. However, those who sow positivity will ultimately reap a positive life that will have a positive impact on the entire world.

When you consider the 2nd World War, when the free world faced one of its most harrowing hours, there was one man who stood out amongst them all. His name? Sir Winston Churchill.

For all his fine qualities, he was not a faultless man. He had, throughout his career, made some terrible errors of judgment. And the empire that he represented had committed some horrific blunders when dealing with the vastness of the empire that they had created.

But that aside, when the darkness of despotic government sought to snare Europe and all its surrounds, there was one man who stood firm as he gave resounding speeches that stirred the hearts of the oppressed multitudes. He made it very clear that he would never give up until freedom was won for all.

Where there was darkness he saw light. Where there was negativity he could only visualise positivity. Where there was fear there was demonstrated faith. Where there was doubt there was supplied hope.

It was that spirit of determination that gripped the hearts of men and women, both in his own homeland and amongst the allies, that eventually, after many years of struggle, brought about the crushing defeat of the enemy.

We too can make the longevity of positivity a reality in our lives by simply determining in our hearts that it will be so.

Here are five keys to help you:

1. BE POSITIVE

“To be positive is not to ignore the presence of negativity in our world, but rather to believe in the power of the positive and in the knowledge that that positive power has the greatest and longlasting energy to overide any negative power in the final hour.” – Peter Sinclair

It’s a fact. There is an abundance of negativity that fills our world. Turn on the television, read the newspaper or simply listen to some of the conversations in your local supermarket and you will find little positive being discussed.

But the great news is that you and I do not have to partake of the morsels of negativity that are passed our way. There is another menu available and if you eat of that, you will develop into a far more healthier and wealthier individual.

Feed on positive materials. Surround yourself with positive friends. Submit your ears to the wisdom of positive mentors, and allow only positive statements to flow from your mouth.

By all means deal with the negative, but always keep your major focus on the positive. Do it all your life and you will live well and you will live long.

2. BE POSITIVE ABOUT WHO YOU ARE

“What I must do, is all that concerns me, not what the people think. It is easy in the world to live after the world’s opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps in perfect sweetness the independence of solitude.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Never allow another to rain on your parade. Be confident in who you are. Know this, that there is only one you and that you have been created for a purpose.
What other people think is totally irrelevant.

You must always be true to yourself and to your conscience, for it is you that you must live with for the rest of your days.

Be grateful for your peculiar gifts that make you different to everyone else around you. You are ‘a unique’ and that means simply one thing: you are extremely special.

3. BE POSITIVE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO

“Let every man be occupied, and occupied in the highest employment of which his nature is capable, and die with the consciousness that he has done his best - Sydney Smith

There are no small tasks. There are only those who do tasks with small minds and because of that have created small tasks.

Approach every task you undertake with a BIG attitude and that is the attitude that you should always carry with you as you continue to discover the gift that lies within you.

Not all of us can arrive at our point of self-discovery immediately, but we can make the journey a worthy training ground by performing every task that we
undertake with the spirit of excellence.

The development of that habit will definitely prepare you for your greatest hour when it does finally arrive.

4. BE POSITIVE ABOUT WHERE YOU’RE GOING

“Who shoots at the midday sun, though he be sure he shall never hit the mark, yet as sure he is he shall shoot higher than who aims but at a bush.” – Sir Philip Sidney

Live your life with purpose. Have a goal. Write it down. At least if you have a target in place you will be more likely to hit the bullseye. Develop the ability to dream on a regular basis. Make it a pattern of your personal path. Dream BIG, live BIG, believe BIG.

The BIGGER you dream, the BIGGER you will become. Those who choose to expand their mind with a dream will ultimately expand their lives.

First the dream, then the goal, then the plan plus applied action and finally the reality.

5. BE POSITIVE ABOUT HOW YOU’RE GOING TO GET THERE

“Every citizen of our state ought to apply himself to that one thing to which his genius most inclines him.” – Plato

When you have discovered the what, it is then time to plan the how.

How do you do that?

Start asking yourself some questions:

• What do I want to do?
• How can I do it?
• Who can help me get it done?
• What do I need to help me get it done?
• Where can I do it best?
• How much will it cost to do it?
• Where will I get the money?
• How long before I can earn it back?
• Set goals. Put in place the tasks that you must perform to achieve those goals. Put a date on it. Spend time talking to a mentor about your plan.

And while you’re at it shout, “Long live positivity!”

Bill Marriott’s Twelve Rules Of Success.

Bill Marriott’s Twelve Rules Of Success (Marriott Hotel Group)

He wrote: My father often said, “Success is never final.” After hearing the stories of our Marriott associates, it’s easy to see why this is a great company. Their spirit to serve and passionate pursuit of excellence are the reasons we’re successful.

Based on the core values that formed the foundation since the early days of our company, coupled with my experience, I’ve adopted what I refer to as the “Twelve Rules of Success”. These management philosophies are a simple but powerful part of our culture and create a living tradition of values and beliefs that we share with our associates all around the world.

1. Continually challenge your team to do better.

2. Take good care of your employees, and they’ll take good care of your customers, and the customers will come back.

3. Celebrate your people’s success, not your own.

4. Know what you’re good at and mine those competencies for all you’re worth.

5. Do it and do it now. Err on the side of taking action.

6. Communicate. Listen to your customers, associates and competitors.

7. See and be seen. Get out of your office, walk around, make yourself visible and accessible.

8. Success is in the details.

9. It’s more important to hire people with the right qualities than with specific experience.

10. Customer needs may vary, but their bias for quality never does.

11. Eliminate the cause of a mistake. Don’t just clean it up.

12. View the problem as an opportunity to grow.

Positioned To Win

I am currently reading Winston Churchill’s account of the 2nd World War. It is interesting to discover what actually set the scene for the war. Of course there were many contributing factors, but there were two main points that Winston raises. And interestingly enough, they were things done, or rather not done, by the allies – not the Germans.

The first thing was this: During the time of peace, following the 1st World War, the allies did nothing. That’s right. When they should have been rearming their forces, they did nothing.

The second thing was this: The allies – the French in particular – who actually had the necessary artillery in place were requested to decrease their armament because it was a time of peace.

I firmly believe in the following saying: When preparation meets opportunity there is success.

So when considering the 2nd World War, if the allies had actually done the necessary preparation in times of peace, it is quite possible that the disastrous World War could have been avoided.

And it makes sense. An athlete who prepares for the Olympic Games, doesn’t leave their training until one week before the Games. They spend at least four years preparing for the big event. And that applies to those of us who want to achieve in other areas of our lives. It is during the times when nothing much is happening in our lives that we need to read that book, attend that seminar, study that subject, and continue to do excellent work.

And when our time comes, we will be ready.

Why?

Because we have positioned ourselves to win.

Peace Comes If You Follow Godly Principles

Principles are like laws. They never change. So no matter whom you may, or may not worship, make it a point to study the principles that are taught in the ancient books of our world. I personally live on the foundation of one of the greatest motivational books ever written; the Glorious Quran. Because, whether all the motivational writers, who have ever lived, believed the Glorious Quran or not, or worshiped, or didn’t worship the God of the Glorious Quran, they would agree on one thing: the success principles found within its pages will bring personal peace and security.

Success Is Not Necessarily Automatic

‘Success is not necessarily automatic. It may require some manual labour.’

Work plays an integral role when it comes to success. But I have found that one will work better and harder if they discover the work that they love, and then do it. When you have found that, work will no longer be work. However, the thing that holds many in the arena of unpleasant work is fear itself. Don’t allow it. Write down the type of work today that you would really enjoy doing. Then make a plan on how you can turn that work into a profitable venture. Interview others who have done what you would like to do. You are an expert in at least one field. Make it your focus, and brainstorm your way into a new and fulfilling career.

How Daily Goals Make You Whole

I  thought I knew a lot about goalsetting until I was recently challenged on two occasions, from two different sources, to write down my goals EVERY DAY.

That’s right. Don’t just speak your goals out. Don’t just visualise them. Actually take a pen and paper and take some time out to write your goals EVERY DAY of your life.

Why?

Because, as I have written in previous articles, when you write down a goal on paper, there is an incredible power that is released in the universe that makes things happen.

I have seen it time and time again in my own life, to the point that I am more and more convinced that to live a successful and fulfilled life we MUST write our goals and carry them on our person; that includes our daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, short-term, long-term goals and even our life goals.

If you are going to move up from mediocre to excellence in your living then you need to develop the discipline of writing out your goals DAILY.

Well, I’m not going to leave it at that. I’m going to show you what has now become an important part of my own life.

Success requires the outworking of goals in our lives.

Start a notebook that is devoted to goalsetting. The reason? So that whenever you think of something that you would like to achieve in your life, then write it down. It will be an incredible record for you to enjoy in the years to come.

Then on a daily basis, as Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen encourage us to do in their book ‘The One Minute Millionaire’, write your six major goals.

This idea was promoted by Brian Tracy, the famous public speaker. He apparently writes his major goals down every day. It magnetizes his mind to what he really wants to accomplish that day.

To maintain balance within your life record your top goals in each of the following six areas of your life:

1. Physical
2. Intellectual
3. Spiritual
4. Organisational
5. Social
6. Financial

The important thing too is to write these goals as if you have already achieved your success.

A DAY WITH A GOAL IS A DAY THAT IS WHOLE

So here are some examples of how you could write your own goals in those six areas:

1. Physical
I am happy because I exercise for twenty minutes four days a week and indoor cricket once a week. I weigh 78kgs.

2. Intellectual
I am happy because I have understood investment strategies and have purchased two investment properties.

3. Spiritual
I am happy because I spend time each day reading the Glorious Kuran and I pray Namaj, I read Hadith and apply its teachings to my daily affairs.

4. Organisational (Time)
I am happy because I work four hours a day six days a week. The rest of my time is devoted to my own education, for researching new deals and spending quality time with my family.

5. Social
I am happy because I have surrounded myself with a network of 100 key people.

6. Financial
I am happy because I have earned 10 Lacks during the past twelve months.

Now that you have an idea of how to write your goals, go ahead and write yours now.

GOALS STOP YOU FROM ACCEPTING MEDIOCRITY AS YOUR LOT IN LIFE

Here are some other ideas that might help you in setting daily goals:

• Write your six goals on a small card and carry it with you.
• Use the word ‘happy’ in your goal setting because your attitude will determine your results.
• Write the service, product or information that you plan to render and in what quantity or quality.
• Refer to this card four times throughout the day, at breakfast, lunch, dinner and before you go to sleep.
• Sign and date the card and share your card with someone who can keep you accountable.
• Meet with this person to review your progress at least once a week.
• Update your goal card at least once a month.
• Think only of what you want. Visualize yourself earning the money that will transport you to your goal’s fulfillment.

Write. Read. Say and see your goals. Fulfilled goals happen!

Be Exceptional

Exceptional service is service that is out of the ordinary and relates to or forms an exception. It is unusual,remarkable and superior.

Exceptional products stand out from the crowd. They perform at a higher level, last longer, give more value for the dollar, provide comfort or convenience to our lives and are the ones that we will purchase time and time again.

Exceptional people are the type of people that I like to hang around. They are givers. They are achievers.They speak good words. They never quit. They pursue excellence in all their endeavours and choose to walk the extra mile while smiling the largest smile.

These people are exclusive because they are an exception.

Their lives are ‘an exception to the rule’ because they rule their lives differently to the mass of humanity who choose to follow the crowd.

And that, I propose, is what makes them exceptional…

Top 10 Productive Ramadan Tips

For more tips go to : http://www.productiveramadan.com

I know most of you are super-worried about your productivity during Ramadan especially in the first few days, so I want to give you the top 10 tips you’ll need to stay productive during Ramadan right now!

Top 10 ProductiveMuslim advice for a Productive Ramadan

1. Have sincere intentions, work hard and make lots of dua for an ultimate productive Ramadan!

2. Plan Your day each day of Ramadan, the night before. Choose 3 important tasks you want to achieve the next day and record it in your diary or our ultimate taskinator!

3. Never EVER miss Suhoor, wake up at least 1 hour before Fajr and have a filling balanced meal.

4. Start working on your most important tasks right after Fajr and get at least 1 or 2 done.

5. Try to get an afternoon nap, not more than 20 minutes either just before Dhuhur or after Dhuhur.

6. Plan your Ramadan days (and life!) around Salah times, not the other way round!

7. BLOCK at least one-hour for reciting Quran each day.

8. Break Your Fast with Dates and Milk or Dates and Water, go pray Maghreb, then come back for a light meal.

9. Give lots of ‘Physical Sadaqah’; get involved in organising community iftars, charity drives, helping orphans..etc, earn rewards working for others.

10. Don’t miss an opportunity for Dawah! When someone asks you why you’re not eating, give them a beautiful explanation of Ramadan and Islam.

Terminate time wasters

The one thing that all of us can be certain of is this: that we have all been given a limited amount of time to live on earth.

I have attended a number of scheduled meetings of late,for the specific purpose of gathering and sharing information, and there is nothing more annoying, or in my view downright rude, when the other party allows a mobile phone call to take precedence over our conversation.

Out of courtesy for the other party I either turn my phone off or put it on silent immediately so that the conversation can continue unabated and the other person can have my fullest attention.

But the fact remains that there are many of us who have allowed time wasters to rob us of the precious moments that could have been far better used for both work and play.

Too many people are working longer hours because they are simply not taking charge of their day. The people who are suffering are generally their family, their clients and ultimately themselves.

Time wasters are the gremlins that will steal a second here and munch on a minute there. And before you know it, hours have been hanged, days have been drowned and months have been murdered. And before you know it, years have been yanked from your life, never to be returned.

But first, before we can take charge of our future, we must identify the time wasters that are stealing the very life out of our lives.

I made a decision a long time ago to work less and make more money. Does that mean that I’m all of a sudden going soft and lazy? No, it means that I have decided to work harder when I need to work harder, and in the midst of that work, to work much smarter.

I know of someone who has set in place a plan for their retirement, so that they can take 12 months off at that momentous time that will be financed through various sources of passive income that they have put in place. And then, during that 12 month period, they will plan and prepare for the rest of their life.

But none of this can be done unless one has control of their time.

1. TAME THE TELEPHONE

Learn to control the telephone, or it will control you. Regard your telephone as a business tool and not as a social one. Make it your practice to have quick and to-the-point conversations. Write down your agenda, in your diary, before you call. Terminate long-winded conversations by simply saying ‘I’m sorry to interrupt, but I must go.’

Don’t use the telephone unless you really have to – send an e-mail. Allocate a specific time to take or make calls, particularly if you have work that requires your utmost concentration

2. VERIFY VISITORS

Schedule your meetings at a coffee shop. This then allows you to dictate when you can leave the meeting. If you don’t have time, say so. ‘No’ is a wonderful lifesaver. Re-educate those who work around you as to your new and improved time management schedule.

Set aside specific times where you can work uninterrupted and let others know of this arrangement. At the end of business, stand up. Tell the other person that you have another meeting in such and such minutes, even if it is with yourself. Walk the visitor to the door whilst saying, ‘I’ll finish this last point of our conversation as I  walk you to reception.’

3. PAPER PILES

Try to make a decision about a piece of paper as soon as you handle it. Deal with mail once and once only. What needs to go in the bin goes there directly and all other information is to be filed immediately. Does all the mail you receive need to be received? Cancel some subscriptions. Read selectively.

4. PLAN YOUR DAY

Make the diary your friend. I personally prefer a diary that provides me with one day per page. Others may prefer electronic diaries. Plan one week in advance and then plan daily. On each page I have the day’s appointments and my daily  6 point ‘to do’ list. That’s right. Just six points. The six major things that need to be done. I tick off those things that are done and then draw an arrow next to those things that still need to be done.

They are then written again on the following day or whenever they have been reassigned to be completed. I put a line through those things that no longer need doing.

Through planning you will also minimise the number of fires that you are going to have to put out throughout your lifetime.

5. ELIMINATE INDECISION

One of the easiest and time effective way I have found to remove indecision, and to allow for clear decisions, has been to take a blank page and draw a line down the middle. On the left hand side I write the positives that will result from the decision. On the right hand side I write the negatives that will result from the decision. If the positives outweigh the negatives I will act immediately. If otherwise, I will not act or say ‘no’ to whomever has asked me regarding the decision.

6. AND THERE’S TIME FOR MORE

Prioritise your activities, set goals, delegate and  don’t allow perfectionism to stop you from starting. If I had waited for my writing to be absolutely perfect I would have never published my first post on Blogspot. Start!

Oh, and limit the amount of television you watch each week. Turn that time into study time and reading time. Your life will thank you for the rest of your days.