You see, [...]]]> When last did you read a book? This could be a book in your profession, a business book, motivational or self help book. Do you truly have passion for reading good books? Can’t it be said of you that you just glance through books and often forget the main theme of such books.

You see, we are where we are in life today by the choices we have made. Also whatever we are going to become tomorrow will be by the choices we made today. One of such choices that will transform our life to a large extent is the acquisitation of the habit of reading.

A good number of us do not read very much.Infact up to eighty percent of Nigerians including adults and youths never read a book from the first chapter to the end. The few that read did that only when they were still in school. Even while in school most of us read majorly to perform well in an exam after which we hardly apply what we have read in daily living.

I am sure you have heard this statement which says that “Readers are Leaders”. It is indeed a very true statement. Check out on the lifestyle and habits of almost all truly successful peoples and leaders in various fields and you will quickly find out that they are all great readers. They all have personal libraries equipped with quality books in their various professions, books on general interest and then their various hobbies.

Isn’t it wonderful? That simply means that if you seriously want to achieve genuine and remarkable success in any area of your life be it professional or financial success quicker than you ever thought possible, then all you have to do is to pick up some of those books, read and assimilate the contents very well and most importantly practice what you have learned from such books.

Honestly, it takes regular, persistent reading and studying for you to improve and climb to the top in your chosen field or profession.

I would like to conclude by giving you this priceless warning and advice from Dr.Sunny Ojeagbese Obazu, Chairman SuccessDigest and Complete Sports concerning reading. “In reading you acquire knowledge but your effort should not stop at that level. You must attain the level of application to be able to succeed. That is when the knowledge that you have acquired becomes useful, otherwise you have simply wasted effort. Acquire and implement should be your watch word”

Pick up a good book and read. Plan to read at least two books each month starting from this month of February. One in your profession or business and another in the field of personal improvement and development.

Please strongly resist every invitation to do evil.
You will achieve your dreams.

However, if you’re not very careful and [...]]]> We live in a world where we are often pressured to take shortcuts so as to save time and cut costs as much as possible. Almost everyone takes a shortcut at one time or another. For example you may jump a shallow fence instead of using the gate.

However, if you’re not very careful and thoughtful, the wrong shortcuts could end up costing you a lot more. Here’s a short story to think about.

Let’s say you are running a project as a registered building company and you are given a contract of building a three-story building that would be used as a trade centre in the heart of an urban city. You solicit bids from several contractors and finally settled for the least experienced contractor for the least cost possible, and you also ignored obtaining necessary government development authority permit or approval simply to cut down cost.

Now it appears you have successfully accomplished you building project. You then handed over the said building to your client in an elaborate and well attended handover ceremony. Because the structure looks so good and decent on the outside, you may have possibly negotiated with some of the noble and wealthy men that were in attendant in that colorful ceremony on how to build similar structures for them.

Two years later during a heavy downpour, the building collapse because the structure has been compromised. Properties were destroyed .Several lives were lost. Majority may find it very difficult to begin again in life economically. Now, what was intended as a shortcut to save money ends up taking lives and other valueables.Where is your reputation now?

How often is safety compromised everyday because we are looking for the quickest way out? The story presented here is indeed one in a thousand ways we seek for short cuts without giving enough considerations to its grave consequences.

In other to save time many of us have developed a life style of hurriedness in almost everything we do. Remember that whenever you are in a hurry you hardly follow up any situation with calmness and the needed carefulness which it deserves.

In almost every shortcut there are hidden dangers in disguise. As we follow our plans for this year may we always remember to think deeply whenever we are tempted to take any shortcut.
It is well.

In difficult situations like this, you need not just more money but the wisdom to manage the little that you [...]]]> Honestly, things are tough thisdays.The sudden loss of employment or the lack of adequate fund for the basic needs of one’s family can lead to deep worry, anxiety and even feelings of frustration and hopelessness.

In difficult situations like this, you need not just more money but the wisdom to manage the little that you have. The book of Ecc.7:12 read “Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this; that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. Yes money can provide some protection but only godly wisdom can offer genuine security at all times.

How then can you cope with the harsh economic realities of this present moment? As you study and apply these seven sure principles, you will certain have a tremendous improvement in your finance.

1. Be Diligent

Develop the reputation of being an honest hardworker.Cut off every occasion for laziness and idleness. Set measurable and achievable goals for yourself. Each time you accomplish one, congratulate yourself and move ahead. Even if you are working for someone or an organization, put in your best effort.Infact see it as your personal business and be well committed to it.

2. Avoid the loss of money unnecessarily

I have noticed that so many people fail to collect their little balance after making some purchase. This is because they regard those tiny monies as being insignificant. For instance some after buying some litres of fuel will not ask for the five naira or ten naira balance. This is wrong. Most often those people you live these little amounts in their hands don’t even show appreciation. Someone suggested that if you take care of your penny your dollar will take care of itself. That five naira you ignored can save a life when you invest it in sachet water especially on a very sunny day.

3. Do not waste money on bad habits.

Your habits determine the outcome of your life. In other word your habits make or mar your personality. Such practices as gambling, womanizing, smoking drug and alcohol should be avoided at all cost. Before you know it any one of these harmful practices or those not mentioned here will drain your purse faster than you can imagine. Worst still you will lose your reputation and self esteem and eventually be reduced to nothing.

4. Check your use of cell phones and paid TV services

Examine the calls you make daily. Are they really important as you think? Why not use short message service (sms) where necessary and reduce your call rate. I suggest you talk less. Keep records of your weekly expenses on all calls. Again find alternative to your service provider if it will save you some money. If you subscribe to a pay TV service ,you can cut cost by switching to fewer channel s package.Honestly,you don’t even have enough time to watch all those hundred and something channels they are offering to you at such an exorbitant amount. You may have subscribed in the first instance to nurse your ego.

5. Pay attention to your bills

Pay your bills; be it water, electricity consumption or any other bill on time to avoid extra charges. Most often if you are disconnected for lack of payment it will attract huge amount of money for re-connection and after that you will still pay your outstanding bills. Turn off lights and appliances when they are not in use. If possible use low energy consumption devices and appliances in your home.

6. Identify what you need before buying

You will save yourself from unnecessary regrets and disappointments if you will always identify exactly what you need in any item before making a purchase. For instance when I bought my first digital camera I picked various models of digital cameras within the same range and studied their features, the advantages each had over the other. Why am I buying the particular model that I eventually selected? If you fail to carry out this kind of research, it won’t be long you will hate what you have spent your hard earned money on and you will be eventually looking for another one.

7. Learn contentment

The desire to have more has always been the major problems in the lives of so many people. Often it is difficult to distinguish between greed and normal desires as regard to what is essential in one’s life. In learning to be content first you learn to enjoy and appreciate the things you already have, making maximum use of them. One who lacks contentment will always be looking out for what is new and may likely be angry if a another person bought such item before him. Thus those who are content with what they have may be able to avoid becoming overly anxious, especially when the economy takes a downturn. So learn to live contentedly within your means.

Enjoy your success.

Success is having a feeling of accomplishment. It is basically feeling good about yourself, yourlife and your positive achievements or accomplishments. Success is being happy [...]]]> True success is the achievement of the very best way of life. One that results from the application of God’s standards and that which harmonizes with his purpose for us.

Success is having a feeling of accomplishment. It is basically feeling good about yourself, yourlife and your positive achievements or accomplishments. Success is being happy and joyful.

One may ask, what are the stuffs of which a successful life is made of? Sure the ingredients or stuffs for a successful life are numerous and here in this article my goal is to reveal what I think are the most essential .I have chosen to call them keys .This is to express their crucial important as we can appreciate the value of keys in our individual lives.

Imagine your child suddenly developed acute appendicitis or your wife in heavy labour,in both cases ,each needed to be rushed to the hospital for urgent medical attention ,suppose you can’t find the key to your car. How should you feel?
Here are what I considered to be the seven keys to personal success.

1. Salvation from Sins

You cannot experience genuine personal success without first having made peace with your Creator. You must have a sure good relationship with God. This is the most important key that will enable you have success in life. A life full of guilt, condemnations and blemish is nonsense notwithstanding how heavy is your bank account.

Indeed; it is a joyful thing to have a heart cleansed from every pollution of sins and evil habits.The psalmist expresses it this way-“Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.”Psalm 32:1 NIV.

2. Prayerfulness

Prayer is having an intimate communion or conversation with God. It is the act of pouring our hearts before God, seeking His help, guidiance, protection and wisdom on how to run our lives and deal with those around us.

You must understand that except you receive wisdom and grace from above you can do absolutely nothing that amount to anything in the sight of God. Truly you may set goals and targets for yourself but except the Lord be with you, you are toiling and laboring in vain.

3. Meditation

Meditation is the principal way God has given to man to contact the supernatural world. It is the realm where we engage both our spirits and our minds in deep thought from the word of God. Meditation brings in energy and power from God into our life situations.

If you are too busy that you cannot meditate on God’s word daily, then you are too busy to succeed. Hear this admonition; “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8.NKJV

4. Keep Money in its proper place

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”(1 Timothy 6.10)

The quest for money has obviously affected the attitude of many people concerning what a successful life is all about. Note that the issue is not actually money itself –which we all need to take good care of ourselves, our families, friends, some social and church functions and some other noble objectives.

Money itself is certainly not the root of all evil as some wrongly assume. It is the disposition to acquire it at all cost, violating all the voice of a good conscience and all ethical and morally justified means that makes it evil.

Those who avidly purse riches as the sole key to personal success are indeed pursuing shadows. Besides inviting frustrations and disappointment into their lives they invite many sorrows.

5. Cultivate a Generous Disposition

Do you know that there is more joy and happiness in giving than in receiving? Train yourself to always be a source of blessing to others.Let someone thanks God today because of your generosity and helpful disposition especially when you do that with humility of mind.

Remember if you develop a generous and helpful disposition you will be free from a greedy spirit that has consumed that heart of so many people and has kept many of them unhappy and unthankful.

Certainly at the end of your days and even while you live you will be proudly remembered by the number of peoples you changed their lives positively.

6. Forgive easily

During the course of our interaction with people on daily basics, it is possible that people will hurt, mistreat, misunderstand or offend us. How do you feel? Now imagine when such offense is coming from a close friend, a co-worker or even your spouse.

Honestly, it is not always easy but you must learn how to forgive easily and freely. It could be you may have mistreated someone before. How would you feel if that person is still holding grudges with you up till this moment?

Forgiveness is good for your health. It relives you of inbuilt strains, tensions and negative emotions that are often associated with unforgiveness.Also; you look younger, happier and healthier if you are always in the habit of forgiving and forbearing people all the time.

7. Seek Knowledge

Remember learning never stops after school. For you to remain relevant and useful you must remain a learner till you live this world.

First, endeavour to study God’s word diligently to know the will, the mind and the plan of God toward you now and beyond. Your purpose for being privileged to step into this world must be greater than just for the enjoyment of the things of this world for a moment.

Second, seek further knowledge in your field or occupation as to remain relevant and important in that field. If people no longer consult you or seek for your knowledge in your field especially when difficult issues comes up that is enough to let you know that you are now obsolete and useless as far as that field is concern.

As you ponder on these seven keys to your personal success, don’t be in a hurry to put any aside, not until that part of your life is re addressed properly.

Enjoy your success.

Welcome to year 2011.Surely, it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed all these past years. Having been privileged to witness yet this great year, may His Name only [...]]]> “Money you are the cause of the anxieties of life, and through you we go down to the grave before our time.” -Plautus

Welcome to year 2011.Surely, it is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed all these past years. Having been privileged to witness yet this great year, may His Name only be exalted.

I want to believe that as we give in our best attention with focused commitment, we will certainly get to our destination by His grace. I have been thinking of how best to start off in my blog this year. After much thinking and meditation I then come up with what you are reading now; what is greater than money? I strongly believe that the truth therein will rightly help you to set your priorities right and equally pursue what is best for you.

Money is good. Indeed nothing will take the place of money in the area in which money works. It was discovered in the United States that over 50% of divorce cases is a direct result of money problem. The Bible says that money answers all things (Eccl.10.19)

Without money ideas remain only a dream. It is the only language spoken by all the nations on earth.
Despite all the usefulness of money, there are some things that are certainly greater than money. Here we will look at SEVEN of those things that are obviously greater than money. To my own mind they are the foundation upon which truly successful lives depend.

1. Presence of God
A good beginning implies that you begin this year by acknowledging the help and the grace of God over all your efforts.Deligently seek for His guidance and direction by first turning away from every corrupt and evil thoughts and conducts. Christ shed His blood on the cross that He might redeem all mankind from the power and dominion of evil. A good relationship with the Holy Spirit is far better than great riches. The Holy Spirit will teach, guide, and instruct those that He dwells with. Money cannot do any of these. Let the presence of God guides and direct you especially from the commencement of this year.

2. Peace of Mind
The best thing that can happen to a man is to have peace of mind. It is greater than money. Remember before a man could have peace of mind, he must have made peace with God. Don’t look for money in such a way that you will not be able to sleep in the night because of troubled and guilty conscience. If you must make money, make it in such a way that you will be able to stand anywhere, before anybody without any fear and condemnation in your heart.

3. Credibility
The Holy Book says that a good name is to be chosen than precious ointment (Eccl.7.11).Credibility and integrity is better than great riches. Can people trust you? Are you reliable even in crisis situations? Never spoil your name and your reputation simply because of the way and manner you are looking for money.

4. Good Health
Having and maintaining good health is our best treasure. Only a health body can acquire and enjoy the good things of this life. Many have enough money today but their money cannot buy them good health. Good health is greater than money; hence you should never work to the detriment of your health. I know a man who is engaged in a security job in two different organizations. As soon as he comes back from the first, he is already preparing for the second which start by 6pm.He has no time to rest. It wasn’t long before he die, leaving all the money behind. Again your health is better than money.

5. Good Association
The people you associate with most of your time have a very strong influence on your character and conducts. This year take time to examine your associates. What kind of influence are they having on you? It is better to be with the right company than to have great riches among dangerous people. Good association is greater than money.

6. Happy Home
The home is the real center of life. No matter how rich you are, if your home is always in crisis then you are not truly rich. “Better is a dry morsel with quietness than a house full of feasting with strife. (Prov.17.1) Never abandon your home in the pursuit of money. The joy and love that your family need cannot be exchanged for your uncontrolled passion for more money.

7. Divine Protection.
Unless The Lord builds a house, they labor in vain who build it. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain (Ps.127.1).Money can buy weapons of defense, pay for security, but only the Lord can give you true protection. Never but your protection at the hands of mere men or electronic gadgets .Never put your trust in your riches. Make up your mind to live your life from now on as to please The Lord in all things. The Lord God Almighty will protect you.

Enjoy Today.