How Carrots and Sticks Help Achieve Goals

How Carrots and Sticks Help Achieve Goals

By Mark Reijman

WE ALL have goals. This can be losing weight, exercising, studying, quitting a bad habit or any other thing.
However, achieving these goals seems difficult. When we are tired, lazy or busy, then working towards these goals always seems to be the first things we give up on. Is there a way to fix that?

There are a few reasons why we give up so easily on these types of goals.

First, they are not easy to achieve. It requires hard work and we have a healthy distaste for hard and difficult work.

Second, these goals typically do not have a clear deadline. It does not really matter if you have lost your 10kg by November or December.

Third, there is no real penalty when you fail: it does not cost you anything (except perhaps your self-esteem).

In his book “Carrots and Sticks”, the lawyer and economist Ian Ayres shows how you can overcome these reasons for failure.
Ayres proposes to create a “commitment contract”. The contract sets a specific time horizon and a positive or negative incentive. You must also make the acceptance of the “commitment contract” publicly known, for example by telling all your friends about it.

How does our basic human nature help us achieve goals through “commitment contracts’”? Once a hard deadline is set, human accountability and responsibility kick in and you will take your goals much more seriously.
The promised incentive will appeal to your aversion of loss – either losing a future benefit or losing money – and make you work toward your goal harder.

Finally, peer pressure and your dislike of losing face by not achieving your publicly known targets will also give you extra motivation.
The incentive can be positive, for achieving your goals, or negative, for failing to achieve your goals. For example, a vacation trip when you succeed in losing weight or a sizeable charitable donation if you fail to quit a bad habit.
To make the penalty bigger without raising the amount, Ayres suggest to donate to a charity you don’t like, a so-called anti-charity! You can also enter into a contract with a friend, promising to pay each other a sizeable sum if you don’t succeed.
Of course, the key to success is to actually follow up with your incentive: only then does the carrot or stick become “real” and will you work towards your goal.

One Good Turn Deserves Another

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

'I want to repay you,' said the nobleman. 'You saved my son's life.'

'No, I can't accept payment for what I did,' the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.

'Is that your son?' the nobleman asked.

'Yes,' the farmer replied proudly.

'I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.' And that he did.

Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin.

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill .. His son's name?

Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

Work like you don't need the money.

Love like you've never been hurt.

Dance like nobody's watching.

Sing like nobody's listening.

Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

The Rules Are Changing: Adaptability is Key

The Rules Are Changing: Adaptability Is The Key

The world has become so dynamic and fast-paced that you need to adjust and adapt at the same pace or you become extinct like the dinosaur.

As I wrote this piece early this morning, a flash of thought raced through my mind... Do you remember the giant NITEL(Nigerian Telecommunications Limited)? Right! The company was so big and comfortable it didn't know the GSM companies were planning its death and burial. It happened so fast NITEL didn't know what hit it.

I was so angry few days ago about what PHED did to me(forget about the details), you already know their stock-in-trade. I called their service line and told them what happened to NITEL... They rushed to my office and rendered apology. I told them the rules have changed and if they're not careful, they'll become extinct very soon. 

Jack Ma, the third richest man in China, says, "Please tell your children that the world is changing every day and no one is going to wait for you in the past." When lighter was invented, it overtook the relevance of matches. When electronic calculator came on scene, abacus faded away like smoke.

When digital camera appeared, the negative film market bowed out in shame. When internet-based selling came on board, traditional marketing caught cold and developed pneumonia.

Don't  blame "Who took over Whose business." The simple truth is: people are more adjustable and adaptable to new ideas that are convenient. Someone once asked Jack Ma: "What is your secret for success?"
"Really simple...I am doing (action) while you're only watching," he said with a smile.

Remember, the world is changing every day. If you don't change, you'll be abandoned in the dustbin of regret and frustration. It is no longer news that everyone reaps what he or she sows. That's an irrevocable law.

Anybody who spends time to drink, becomes a drunkard in the long haul.
If you spend time to complain, you become a graduate complainant at the end of the season. If you spend time to study and learn, you end up a wise person.

If you spend time to observe the trend of the global economy, you'll not end up crying out for unpaid salaries and bonuses. The truth is, there's no longer job security anywhere in the world because the rules have changed. It is only those who adjust and adapt that will survive. Be wise!

See You At The Top In 2016. #MoreGrace!

5 Steps For Overcoming Procrastination

By Michael Locklear

Millions of people struggle with completing goals and overcoming challenges due to the habit of procrastination. In fact, it's one of the most common personal issues that people seek help for. There are several reasons why people procrastinate or avoid tasks. They can range from simple, basic laziness to fear of failure, lack of confidence in your ability, or simply a strong dislike for the task at hand.

People commonly put off doing things because they don't know what to expect or what the outcome may be. They might fail, other people might laugh at them, they might look foolish, there may be a lot of stress, or any number of non-specific anxieties. We all struggle with the fear of the unknown on a daily basis. It's the way we think and our perception of things that paralyze us and keep us in a pattern of avoidance. If you believe that something is unpleasant or distasteful, or that you'll fail if you try to do it, or if you believe that you will somehow lose something, you will probably make sure you never get around to it. In most cases, this only creates high levels of stress, or brings unpleasant circumstances. When you get in touch with how much pain you feel when you procrastinate, you can begin the first step to overcoming it.

Many people procrastinate because of a lack of motivation. To fight this kind of procrastination, you can set rewards for doing these undesirable things. If exercise is difficult, try giving yourself a reward every time you go to the gym. You deserve it for having persevered. Next time, you may be just that much more motivated.

For many people, procrastination consumes major amounts of time in their daily lives. Because of this habit, they don't get things done. This results in more stress, and more frustration. In the end, procrastination makes things far more difficult than they would be if you simply completed the task. Stopping procrastination means you can avoid all the pain of the failure procrastination causes.

Other reasons why people procrastinate:

•A lack of faith in your own abilities
•Fear of trying anything new because of past failures
•Low self esteem

The goal is not associated with a reward
Procrastination is one of the most time-consuming activities one can engage in. It causes a great deal of stress and frustration. Here are five steps you can take to make overcoming procrastination simple.

Step 1: Find your direction.

Every time you procrastinate, write down the task you are avoiding and your justification for avoiding it. Keeping a record will help you understand how your attitudes are related to your procrastination. Then you can identify strategies to redirect yourself when you feel the desire to procrastinate. Always focus on the task you wish to perform and your reward when you succeed. Focusing on your reward is the most powerful way to overcome procrastination.

"If you don't know where you are going, you'll end up someplace else."
-Yogi Berra

Step 2: Get focused

You can easily become overwhelmed if you try to do everything at once. Instead break your goals down into simpler tasks. Start putting them into action, one at a time. Start as soon as possible. Take time every day to work on your goals.

If you find it really hard to get started on a task, try working on it for ten minutes. This will usually help you get some momentum, and help you feel like continuing. Start with a simple task first, and be sure to visualize yourself completing the task. This will help you to focus on the goal, and the reward you will receive upon completion.

"Most people have no idea of the giant capacity we can immediately command when we focus all of our resources on mastering a single area of our lives."
-Tony Robbins

Step 3: Be aware of your thoughts.

The more you procrastinate, the more monumental the task becomes in your mind. Allowing limiting beliefs to control your actions becomes a parasite on your chances for success. You must confront your beliefs about yourself and the task, and face your fears.

Instead of daydreaming about your failure, and all the things that could go wrong, and how hard it's going to be, fantasize about how good you will feel having gotten the task out the way, how confident you'll feel when you complete it successfully, and how confident you will be about your ability to do the next thing. Keep your focus positive, and this will build a new attitude that will overcome all your limited beliefs, and defeat procrastination.

Learn how to separate your anxious thoughts from your realistic thoughts. Imagine the worst-case scenario. Then, make a plan to get back on your feet if the worst should happen. Chances are you would recover relatively quickly, and resume your normal life.

"Our attitude toward life determines life's attitude towards us."
-John N. Mitchell

Step 4: Build your tolerance to negative emotions.

Fear and stress are normal. They come from being uncertain, or feeling threatened in some way. Most of the time they're just feelings, and there is no real danger. Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the ability to continue in spite of it. Courage is required to overcome procrastination.

When you persist in pursuing your goals, you build up your tolerance for stress and anxiety . In time you will feel more confident, more capable, and far less stress and overwhelm. When you don't fear the feelings of anxiety , you will procrastinate less.

Meditation is a powerful way to build your resistance to negative emotions. Major universities all over the world have found that it reduces stress and anxiety , elevates your mood, and improves your ability to focus.

Step 5: Take command of yourself.

Success always means going outside of your comfort zone. No matter how unpleasant the results of procrastination, the habit remains part of your comfort zone. One very important first step is to stop complaining about what you have to do. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and complaining only drains away your will to succeed.

Focus your mind on all of the benefits you will receive from being successful in whatever you need to do. Keep your mind focused on how wonderful you're going to feel and all of the wonderful things that are going to happen to you when you are successful.

"Self-command is the main discipline."
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Overcoming procrastination is not as hard as you might think. Once you take these five steps for overcoming procrastination, your fears and anxieties will melt away, and you will experience the many benefits of being in control of your life.

Christianity is about Advancement

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Christianity Is About Advancement!

It's better to look ahead and prepare to succeed than to look back and stagnate in regret.
Looking ahead is one of the most difficult concepts for humans to grasp as we advance in this journey we call "Life." Little do we realize that when we look back, we slow ourselves down from progressing forward and achieving the ultimate God created us to possess.

Try something for me: Just stand up erect and look ahead for about five seconds. Now quickly turn your head backwards, and without turning it forward, try taking ten steps forward. It is most likely you were obstructed by something in your path that you weren't able to see because you weren't looking forward, right? Now apply this exercise to your everyday life. You have to look straight ahead to properly advance in life to have complete dominion over your environment.

It is a basic truth of life that we all have memories of the past, and sometimes it is hard to move on from the good times or bad times we had, but remember that looking backwards all the time while trying to move forward will only stop you from maneuvering the challenges in your life correctly. You cannot pursue and recover your loses by looking back.

The songwriter says, "I'm pressing on, the upward way. New heights I'm gaining everyday..." Christianity is about advancement; getting better everyday in our calling and gaining New Heights.

If our lives are not better now than they used to be last year, then our Christianity is questionable. The negative global economic indices hasn't the potency to short-circuit our prosperity because we're children of Zion. We must press on to gain New Heights.

Our spiritual life, marital life, business life, academic life...should all move upward to attract the best God has positioned us to possess. Did you know that even in Egypt there was Goshen? The people of God were still blessed because they were "bullet-proof" from all negative happenings. That's complete advancement!

This Is Your Week: Receive abundant grace to deliver the best and become better in every area of your life in Jesus' Mighty Name.

Have A Great Week!

See You At The Top In 2016. #MoreGrace!

The Power of an Open Mind

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The Power Of An Open Mind

There are two categories of people in this life: People who live with an open mind and those who live with an open mouth. Talk is cheap but good thoughts are expensive. Good thoughts emanate from people who have open mind. They're the leaders others look up to when the chips are down.

Keeping one's mind open is hard work because there are so many things in this world that can easily cause you to open your mouth wide. The danger in always keeping your mouth open is that you can never think creative thoughts when your mouth is open. The mouth is constructed like a door that's why it should be closed sometimes.

Successful people keep an open mind to every issue and chart their way through every obstacle of life with creative thoughts. Life is not about winning arguments; it's about leveraging on positive thoughts and acquired knowledge.

People with open mind love instructions while people with open mouth love recognition even when they've achieved nothing. Instructions lead to life and fulfillment. The book of Proverbs 4:1-4 says, "Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding. For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law. For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live."

Your level of success is a function of your thoughts. You can never go far in life if your mind is closed. A closed mind leads to a closed destiny. One of our core competences in the School of Professional Mentoring & Capacity Building(SPMCB) is that we have regular interactive sessions that mentees and resource persons leverage on to become better.

Open up your mind and move to the ultimate level God has destined for you. There's power in an open mind, discover it!

See You At The Top In 2016. ‪#MoreGrace‬!

The PMCB Team

What's Your Level of Faith

I totally agree with Anthony Robbins' assertion, "When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears."

There is calmness to life in gratitude, a quiet joy. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. As you ponder about all the things in your life you're grateful for, you will be amazed at the never-ending thoughts that come back to you, of more things to be grateful for.

Gratitude helps you grow and expand spiritually, mentally, financially and emotionally. It brings joy and laughter into your life and into the lives of those around you. In the words of Wallace Wattles this is more evident, "The daily practice of gratitude is one of the conduits by which your wealth will come to you." Henry Ward Beecher remarked, "Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul." Gratitude is the great multiplier of life. Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. The easiest way to bring lack into your life is by being ungrateful to God.

Gratitude is the best attitude. Great battles have been fought and won with gratitude and praises without the use of any physical weapons. Saint Ambrose said, "No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks." A thankful heart leads to a great life. It turns what we have into enough.

Nothing will enlarge your life more quickly and dramatically than gratitude. Dr. John Demartin wrote, "Whatever we think about and thank about, we bring about." G. K. Chesterton added, "Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder." Nothing will diminish your life more quickly and profoundly than being ungrateful. It is not happy people who are thankful. It is thankful people who are happy.

"The best way to show gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems with joy," said Mother Theresa. When disappointment causes you to slip, stumble, slide into discouragement, then lift your mood upward by giving thanks to God for all things. Gratefulness is the key to happiness. Practicing gratitude will lead to open door and bring God's blessing into your life.

People who aren't grateful are not givers. They rarely think about others; they think only of themselves. Their selfishness keeps them from sowing and their ingratitude makes them wonder why they don't reap harvest.

This Is Your Day: Make gratitude your daily companion and make God your partner for life.

BE IN CHURCH TODAY

See You At The Top In 2016. #MoreGrace!

SPMCB Update

The Employee Mentality

I'm very sure I will draw the wrath of so many people after they've read this piece. However, it is also going to heal so many people of the virus called "Employee-mentality."

Who's an employee? There are several definitions of who an employee is. However, my definition is: A person who has decided to mortgage his future by working for another person; whether he or she likes the condition of service or not. Being an employee trains you to be an exact opposite of an entrepreneur. In fact, the employee works for the entrepreneur. And may do so perpetually to their detriment.

How do people become employees? First, it is a thing of the mind before it physically manifests. You go to school and learn to be good. You do as you're told, and get a good job. When you've got the good job, you're taught from day one to follow instructions, get better at your job, and never question authority. In fact, it is the entrepreneur that sets the rules.

Unfortunately for most people, the time they spend as an employee is wasted because they're not proactive. They think the thoughts of other people and spend the rest of their lives in a dormant mentality mold. No matter what happens, they're sure their salaries will be paid.

Employees have the perception that if anyone notices that you're changing the rules, you're fired. The rules must be followed even if they're obsolete and have stopped working. This is very true in some government positions and major corporations. The other assumption that goes with this kind of mentality is even more worrisome, even though it may have been partially true in the past. The assumption is that the time spent in a position brings about pay increases and promotions. However, most times the employee uses the pay increase to buy liabilities that become worthless in the near future.

The employee mentality makes people to continually work harder, put longer hours, and getting more and more specialized. They strive to learn more and more about their jobs, they get better and better at their work, and very often, they move from one company to another, or from one position to another. Sure, they may get salary increases all the time, but they usually spend more than they earn throughout the entire period. That's the effect of the employee-mentality virus.

The major assumption that employees make is that the higher the income, the closer they get to being wealthy. Pure foul! Nothing could be further from the truth. For most employees, a bigger paycheque just get them deeper and deeper in debt because of their inordinate borrowing capacity.

Finally, they get retired at old age. Can you guess what happens next? They retire broke! By that time, the employee-mentality virus has eaten up their immune system and they die before their time. Case closed!

If you're an employee, Think Wisely! The next batch of trainees at School of Professional Mentoring & Capacity Building starts lectures on July 04, 2016. Join us and bulletproof your future from economic depression.

Have A Great Weekend!

To Your Ultimate Success,

The PMCB Team

3 Keys To Creating Lasting Success

I welcome you to a new and gracious week filled with the blessings of God. As I wrote this piece early this morning, I became convinced that so many people are already on the road to abandoning their goals for 2016.

For people in that category, the economy has already dealt them a severe blow under the belt and their recovery is impossible. There is no longer strength in their confession to push them through the difficult terrain of economic strangulation.

However, I've come up with 3 key steps they can try before they finally throw in the towel and accept defeat. They're important to having a successful life. Don't take my word for it but remember, nothing works until you work it. Faith needs action to prove its superiority over doubt. So take ACTION.

1. Raise Your Standards
Any time you're serious about making a change and have lasting success, the first thing you must do is to raise your standards.

I love change because nothing actually grows without change. My life changed the day I decided to raise my standards. I wrote down all the things I would no longer tolerate in my life, all the things I would no longer accept, and all the things that I aspired to becoming. Your guess is right: I'm on my way to achieving my goals for 2016. Positive things are happening to me.

Pause and think of the far-reaching and impactful consequences set in motion by men and women who raised their standards and acted in line with them, deciding they would no longer tolerate anything less. History chronicles the inspiring examples of people like, Nelson Mandela, Abraham Lincoln, Helen Keller, Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, and many others who took the amazing powerful steps of raising their standards. The same power that was available to them is available to you, if you have the courage and tenacity to claim it.

2. Change Your Limiting Beliefs
Our beliefs set the tone and the direction of our lives. If you raise your standards but don't believe you can meet them, you've already sabotaged yourself. Our beliefs operate like unquestioned commands, informing us how things are, what's possible and what's impossible, what we can and cannot do. They shape every action, every thought, and every feeling that we experience. As a result, changing our belief systems is central to making any real and lasting change in our lives. We must develop a sense of certainty that we can and will meet the new standards before we actually do.

3. Change Your Strategy
In order to keep your commitment, you need the best strategies for achieving results. One of my core beliefs is that if you set a higher standard, and you can program yourself to believe it, you can definitely discover the best strategies to accomplish the standard you've set.

Don't be afraid of what will happen or what will not happen. Trust in God, do your own part and believe that in the end everything will work in your favour.

This Is Your Day: God didn't keep you alive today with the intention to abandon you. Cheer up and celebrate your victory in advance.

You shall succeed!

The Great Confession

The Great Confession

Christianity is called "The Great Confession." Confession is affirming something that we believe; our core beliefs. It is testifying of something that we know. It is witnessing for a truth that we have embraced.

Confession holds a very large place in Christianity and Hebrews 4:14 confirms it by saying "that we should hold fast to our confession(profession). However, so many Christians start and end their day with negative confession. Jesus never did so. What you confess or profess, you become. That's an irrevocable law. It will never respect your religious title.

The reason the faith of many Christians never works for them is because they don't confess what God says they are. Remember, your faith can never grow beyond your confession. Your daily confession of who God is to you, what Jesus is capable of doing in your life now by the power of the Holy Spirit are the ingredients you need for a triumphant Christian life.

This Is Your Week: Your seed for greatness comes from your daily confession. Mind what you say.

See You At The Top in 2016. #MoreGrace!

What Motivates True Leaders?

By: Ryan May

The term "leader" has been used almost to the point of over-saturation, now branding anyone who serves in a leadership role. But there is far more involved in being a leader than simply holding a title.

The varied examples of leadership are many, ranging from the Fortune 500 to Fortune's 100 Best Companies to Work For. Though both lists contain highly successful companies, there is a often a noticeable difference in the way they're run, with one focused on a more traditional model of profitability (driven toward the bottom line) while the other seeks to provide a more modern approach to business, with leaders that strive to bring out the best in their employees, a process that in turn enables those people to contribute to the organisation more creatively - contributions that in themselves drive the success of the venture.

And this process starts at the top.

>Defining a Leader

There are a limitless number of ways to describe the attributes of a true leader.

However, taking into account the new focus on employee-centric companies mentioned above, leaders in these organisations are driven by what they can do for other people and, as such, often possess the following traits:
Readily willing to listen and make decisions based on a diverse range of views

•Acts as a guide or a coach, as opposed to those who dictate

•Provides credit for success to subordinates (rather than accepting it for themselves)

•Enables and empowers by providing free reign on business functions

•Enlightens people through development and education, whether based on the leader's personal experience or outside resources

•Inspires others through a level of personal belief in the business venture

•Motivates people through positive reinforcement and rewards

•Leads by example

•Serves people, looking out for their best interest

>Serving Others Through Empowerment

The above mentioned traits have one thing at their center: people.

And it's this focus on people that seems to motivate many of the most successful leaders, from athletic coaches to business entrepreneurs. Often possessing an innate ability to see in others what those people may not see in themselves, the true leader cultivates the best in people and genuinely wants to see them succeed.

Also viewed as a mentor, the true leader delivers empowerment by providing resources, enabling others to realize options and possibilities they hadn't thought of through exposure to external or internal education and development. Within this scenario, the leader is motivated to liberate subordinates rather than control them, thereby generating a more collaborative environment that leads to innovation, competitive edge and overall success.

Though this approach is impractical for military or law enforcement, where following the orders of an authoritarian leader is necessary due to the often confidential nature of information, on the whole, true leaders in the civilian world strive to help others learn, grow and develop by freeing them from the limitations that hold them back.

In doing so, these individuals inspire a natural state of loyalty that, as seen in the 100 Best Companies to Work For cited above, leads to unquestionable success.

You Don't Have to Be Born a Leader to Make a Great One

Are leaders born or made? From business school courses devoted to the topic to books and articles to many a thought leader’s opinion—this question has been debated for a very long time.

We’re all familiar with individuals who are clearly born leaders—whether they’re a part of our local community or someone we read about in the news. People like Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy and Nelson Mandela are examples of individuals thought to be born leaders. When you stop and examine it further, many of the traits attributed to “born” leaders are related to things like being a visionary, having extraordinary courage, being decisive and having a positive personality—but these aren’t the only characteristics that hold weight. Learned traits—like being able to clearly communicate your vision and having emotional intelligence—are also powerful components in the making of a leader.

And it’s the leaders who are made that we often don’t hear much about—the folks who have made a commitment to honing their leadership skills through life-learning experiences, and personal and professional development. Some rise to the occasion out of necessity, becoming leaders because they care too much about their company not to.

As a small business owner, do you think of yourself as a leader? Do you dread or avoid the thought because when you started, you just wanted to own a business, not lead it? For most owners, thinking of themselves as a leader is uncomfortable and occasionally even impossible. In some cases, you may not even be aware of the gaps in your leadership skills. For example, if you’re not clear about your brand, then your employees won’t know how to market your business. Your decisions—everything from deciding to try a new piece of technology to avoiding uncomfortable confrontations with employees—influence each thing about your business. Yet, when you become aware of the impact, you’re more likely to improve and grow.

If you’re struggling with leadership, stop and ask yourself:

>Do you enjoy and embrace your leadership role? Do you remember why you started your business in the first place?

•It’s important to clearly define what you do and why you do it.

•Your passion is the foundation for inhabiting your role as a leader, regardless of what business you’re in or how many people work for you.

•The outcome of digging deep inside will be your own personal purpose statement—it’s all about what’s true for you.

>Do you have a vision for where you’re leading your team?

•In order to lead, you need to have a clearly written picture of your company’s future.

•Your vision will be the target you aim for and a means of motivation for your employees.

>How well do you communicate? Are your employees familiar with your company values?

•Having a clear set of values allows your people to “buy-in” more easily.

•Leaders who invest in their culture, clarify what’s meaningful for them and help their people grow, enjoy higher profits, steady growth and sustainability.

The answers to these question are at the very core of leadership. You may not know it, but this work is your responsibility and in your job description as the business owner and company leader. Although it may take you out of your comfort zone, it will bring you to a new place—one with a clear direction, one with passion and one where your employees feel a culture of ownership within themselves. As we like to say at PMCB, that’s leading.

Are Your Beliefs Serving You or Limiting You?

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

Are Your Beliefs Serving You Or Limiting You?

Did you know that if you move a goldfish from a small fishbowl in your home and take it to a river - it will still continue to swim in the same small circle it used to when in the bowl?  Why is the pattern the same?  Because it has accepted the belief that if it swims farther, it's going to bump its nose on the wall and that's a very painful exercise. It has always done it this way, swimming in circles. Any other way is "dangerous or impossible."

When you question your beliefs - you question your limitations.  If your beliefs serve you - they can withstand any scrutiny, obstacle or frustration.  If they don't survive the questioning - it is time to drop them and replace them with beliefs that serve you.

For instance, if you have the belief that you need money to make money, it will be very hard for you to succeed in business in a nosediving economy. This single belief pattern will hinder you from getting out of debt. It will create so many obstacles in your way to succeed.

If I believed it takes money to make money, School of Professional Mentoring & Capacity Building would still be on the drawing board.

Like the goldfish that has been freed to swim in the river, you still think you are limited. Your limitation is set by your beliefs. This factor alone makes so many people never to achieve their purpose in life.

The question in the mind of so many people is, "How can I tell for sure what I believe is true or not?" This is not rocket science. The simple question to ask is:
"Does this belief serve me or limit me. I'm I getting better believing this way?"

It doesn't matter whether your beliefs are "true" or "false."  What matters most is, are they moving you TOWARD or AWAY from what you want to make your life better? If they don't serve you, it is high time you replaced them with beliefs that will make you achieve your goals.

To Your Success!

The PMCB Team

Stop Making A Living & Start Making A Fortune

Stop Making A Living & Start Making A Fortune

The international bestselling author Jim Rohn once made a profound statement: "Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune."

The above quote is basically addressing how important it is to continue to self-educate yourself beyond what you have learnt from the formal setting. Formal education will take you a long way in life, but the question is "how long?" Whereas self-education uses the base of the education you received in a formal setting to make you see things in a new way. It helps you to grow and become more successful.

If you depend entirely on your formal education, it won't be too long, you'll start starving because your relevance in the marketplace will eventually nosedive to zero.

In School of Professional Mentoring & Capacity Building we teach people how to mix men, materials and money to make a fortune. Wouldn't you rather come to us and learn the 'how to'?

Registration for our Basic Entrepreneurship Development(BED) Programme is on; Lectures start May 9, 2016. You can register at the *CENTRE or send "Yes BED" to 0811-0059359.

*Main Auditorium, Rivers State Library Complex, #3, Bernard Street, Town, PH.

To Your Success,

The PMCB Team

Programme Promo

Programme Promo School of Professional Mentoring & Capacity Building Finally Opens Venue: Main Auditorium, Rivers State Library Complex, #3, Bernard Carr Street, Town, PHC. Day 1: Thurs. 21-04-16 Theme: "Developing Your Entrepreneurial Capacity Beyond A Declining Economy." Keynote Speaker: Hon. Nimi Walson-Jack(Executive Director, Rivers State Bureau of Public-Private Partnerships) Time: 10am Prompt Day 2 & 3: 22nd & 23rd April, 2016 Theme: Developing The Entrepreneurial Mindset Speakers: The PMCB Team *Registration Fee: N2,000 Time: 10am Prompt *Includes Breakfast You can register @ the venue or Pay into: Zenith Bank. Account Name: Professional Mentors & Capacity Builders Limited. Account No: 1014569202 To your success, The Professional Mentoring & Capacity Building Team

7 Ways To Be More Self-Disciplined, Because You Can Accomplish Whatever You Want

By Carolyn Steber

Doesn’t it sometimes feel like everyone on the planet is all successful and motivated except for you? Those people at the gym, that vegan coworker, your cousin the author — they all seem to have discovered ways to have more self-discipline. And they make it look so easy.

But self-discipline isn’t easy, and it wasn’t for them at first, either. Because the truth is, no one is born with the magic ability to publish books, or the miraculous desire to give up dairy. These things are hard to do, and the process sucks. So really, the only difference between you and the so-called successful people is that they stuck it out, and you didn’t.

That sounds way harsh, but it’s actually meant to be super relieving. I mean, those successful people aren’t better or smarter or faster than you are — they are simply more self-disciplined. What a relief to know that you can have all the same things if you put in the same amount of effort.
And luckily, self-discipline can be applied to pretty much everything. Learning guitar? Use some self-discipline. Quitting smoking? Self-discipline. Trying to drink less soda? Self-discipline.

You can do these things. They don’t require any special powers — just a little (OK, sometimes a lot) of extra effort. So if you want to make make a change, from something small like waking up earlier, to something huge like running a marathon, then here are some ways to stick with it until you meet your goals.

1. Do It Even If You Don’t Feel Like It

One of the biggest ruiners of self-discipline and self-motivation is that “eh, I’ll do it later” feeling. Maybe you’re tired, or it’s raining, and it just feels so much easier to stay on the couch. But if you keep putting things off until tomorrow, soon a week has passed, and then a month, and then years without anything getting done.
So keep this in mind — you’re always going to be tired, and it’s always going to rain. My point is, try not to use everything as an excuse. It may feel really difficult, but just get up and do it anyway. Write a few pages of your book, spend an hour practicing the piano, or go for a five minute jog outside. It may feel fruitless and difficult at first, but it’ll get much easier if you keep pushing forward towards your goals, even when you don’t feel like it.

2. Set Out To Prove People Wrong

It’d be great if we could stay disciplined for ourselves without anyone else in mind. But sometimes it’s good to draw a little motivation from all the haters, especially when we’re feeling less than jazzed about making a change. So think of the times when people shot down your dreams, or threw a a judge-y smirk in your direction. Wouldn’t it feel great prove them wrong?

3. Remove Any Temptations Or Distractions

If you get super distracted by Facebook, or can’t help but max out your credit card at the mall, then think of ways to avoid these temptations and distractions. According to Amy Morin on Forbes, “Although we’d all like to believe we have enough willpower to resist even the most alluring enticement, it only takes one moment of weakness to convince ourselves to cave to temptation. Making it difficult to access those temptations can be pivotal to increasing self-discipline.”
If the Internet is your downfall, then hide your phone or disconnect while working on a project. If you’ve been having a problem with your budget, then leave your credit card at home while you go out. Little changes like these take away the temptations and distractions, and make it easier to feel more in control.

4. Tell People What You’re Up To

If you’re making a big life change, or setting off after a major goal, then it might help to let some people know as a way to stay self-disciplined. Telling family and friends what you’re up to creates an “external deadline” as you work to deliver what others expect from you, and it can massively boost your drive to succeed, noted Tyrrell. Those of us with strict work deadlines and project end dates know this feeling all too well.
But what if you don’t have any external deadlines for your goals? If that’s the case, you gotta make some. For example, Tyrrell suggested writing up a contract, such as “I will write 100,000 words in two months,” and then signing it in the presence of friends. It might sound silly, but knowing people have expectations helps create a very motivating sense of accountability.

5. Be OK With Feeling Uncomfortable

Another huge ruiner of self-discipline is discomfort. Nobody likes those first painful days of working out, the horrible feeling of writer’s block, or the sense that they’re being deprived in some way (be it of leisure time, food, sleep, etc.) So it’s very normal to panic and back out of change.
It’s important to push through those first few crappy days of muscle aches, or writer’s block, or sugar cravings, especially since it will get easier. According to Morin, “We can usually stand a lot more discomfort than we think we can. Practice allowing yourself to experience uncomfortable emotions like boredom, frustration, sadness, or loneliness and increase your tolerance to the negative emotions that you may experience as you increase your self-discipline.”

6. Imagine Your Life Once You’ve Met Your Goals

If you feel like giving up on something, take a second and imagine your life after your goals are met. Are you basking in accomplishment? Do you feel super healthy? Are you rolling in extra cash? According to Erin Cox on HuffingtonPost.com, “The more clear you are about the way you’ll feel when you achieve whatever goal you’ve set for yourself, the more likely you are to hunker down and do whatever it takes to achieve it.” Picture it all in detail, and let that be your motivation.

7. Don’t Give Up If You Make A Mistake

Even with visions and external deadlines, it’s still possible to mess up from time to time. I’m talking about slacking off at the gym, temporarily giving up on your poetry, having a cigarette — anything you consider a slip-up that isn’t helping you reach your goals.
Don’t let it get you down, and don’t feel all guilty like you “ruined” something.. As Morin noted “Self-discipline comes easier on some days than others … Making mistakes is part of the process to becoming better. The way you recover from those mistakes is what’s most important. The key is to acknowledge your mistakes and move on from them with even more resolve to do better next time.”
If something is important to you, or it’s necessary to make a major life change, then stick to your guns. A little self-discipline is all it takes, so don’t give up.

Keeping Your Ideas Organised

By: Debbie Dragon

Ideas and inspiration can strike at any moment. You may have ideas for a new business, a product or service, or new ways of improving the efficiency of your operations. Regardless of what your ideas are about, if you don't want those ideas to disappear from your memory as fast as they arrived, you need to develop an organized method for recording your ideas when they occur - and another plan for what to do with all of those ideas you generate.

•Digital-Based Idea Organization

You've probably discovered it doesn't work to jot down ideas in your mobile phone, laptop, tablet and computer depending on where you are when inspiration strikes - because you have no idea where anything is later when you need to put those ideas into action!

Your best solution is to implement a web based application that you can access from any of your internet-connected gadgets.

This way, you can add ideas wherever you are, with whatever devices you happen to have with you at the moment, and they will all be in one, organized place for later retrieval.
You might keep it as simple as using Google Docs, and create folders for each topic you come up with ideas for (advertising, training, products and services, etc). Within each folder, you might then have a document of ideas pertaining to each topic. If you want to save web pages, you can create a spreadsheet of links within each topic and jot down a description or why you have saved that site in your idea bank.

If you are a fan of mind mapping for idea generation, you might like Comapping - an online version that lets you keep track of your ideas and tasks in a single map.

You can use it alone or share it with others.
Alternatively, if you like to see your ideas alongside the tasks you're currently working on or the projects you are responsible for - you might try using an all-in-one solution like a web based project management system. There are several on the market, including paid software and free options. WorkZone allows you to set up your entire work responsibilities, personal to do lists, and make use of the popular Gantt charts. Create a project for ideas and keep adding to it - the benefit to this system is you can literally schedule 'due dates' to remind yourself to review ideas and put them into action later so they don't just get recorded and forgotten.

•Paper-Based Idea Organization

Many people find a three-ring binder is ideal for keeping their ideas organized.

You can quickly jot down ideas as they occur to you, no matter where you are, and slide them into the appropriate section of your binder. You can also print information from a computer and insert into your binder, or rip pages from magazines and newspapers. Office supply stores sell inexpensive dividers that allow you to label each section in your binder. The labels you use will depend on the type of ideas you are organizing, but some examples may be: Advertising Ideas, Increasing Efficiency, Staff Training, New Products/Services, etc. For paper that is the wrong size for 3-hole punches, you can include dividers with pockets, or insert a folder to hold odd-shaped paper.

You might also decide to use the expanding accordion-style folders. If you use these to organize your ideas into the various pockets, it's recommended that you purchase the flexible plastic type rather than the cardboard file folders, as they will hold up longer.

Whichever paper-based organizational method you choose, you will still need to schedule time to review the ideas after they are saved.

On your calendar or to-do list, make a date weekly or bi-weekly to review ideas and start putting the best ones into practice.

How To Use Facebook To Market Your Book

by Sherrie Wilkolaski

Facebook continues to grow as the marketing platform of choice for just about everything – goods, services, and causes – so it’s an obvious place for authors to consider when you start marketing your book. To get the most out of your Facebook presence here are 4 things that every author should know:

1.  Create a Fan Page

There are two types of Facebook pages – a profile page and a fan page. Profile pages are what individuals use to connect to friends, family, classmates and colleagues. Fan pages are used for promotion. They are perfect for building closer relationship with your audience and customers.

Every author should have a fan page. To set up a fan page, go to https://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php and follow the step-by-step instructions. Now that you have a Fan page you can promote your page on your website, in your ebook and in press releases. 

2.  Ask People to Like You

Your goal is to have people “Like” your page. Once someone likes your page, any updates you post to your Fan page will be visible in your stream. This keeps your fans engaged and keeps you and your books “top of mind”. This makes it more likely that next time a fan is looking for a new read, or recommending a book – you and your work will come to mind. To get your first “Likes” send a message to family and friends asking them to like your page. Ask current fans on your website to Like your page. If you are on Twitter ask your Twitter fans to Like your page. Anytime you receive media exposure make sure to mention your Facebook page.

3.  Install the Facebook App for Authors

There is a great FREE Facebook app for authors that you should install on your page. To install the app go to: https://apps.facebook.com/authorapp/?ref=ts. It takes less than 30 seconds to get the app onto your page.

The app has these great features:

- Allows you to import your book information directly from Amazon.

- Allows your fans to buy your books with one-click.

- Allows you to offer a free chapter of your book.

- Allows you to collect email addresses from your fans so you can send email updates.

-  Allows you to highlight upcoming book signings and event you are holding.

To learn more about the app you can visit:

http://www.freebooksy.com/freebooksy-author-marketing-ap/

4.  Stay Engaged

The key to a successful Facebook page is to consistently update your page. You can decide on the frequency – at a minimum you want to post something new once a week. Your posts can be simple: something that inspired you (a picture, a quote, an interaction); an upcoming event you are holding; an update on the new book you are writing; a news article that you found interesting. It’s more important to post something than to post the perfect thing, so don’t spend too much time obsessing over what to post, rather, just put something out there.

By following these four simple steps you will be on your way to using Facebook as a successful marketing tool!

Tell us what you think about the Author App!

Tags: author app, infinity publishing, book marketing, book publicity, self publishing, self publishing companies, independent publishing, sherrie wilkolaski, facebook

Principles of Instructional Leadership

By: Ryan May

Instructional leadership refers to the administrative duties required by those responsible for leading educational institutions. These managerial tasks commonly fall to the principal or lead administrator and comprise all actions that he or she undertakes personally or delegates to others to promote growth in student learning. In short, the instructional leader creates a student-centered school environment.

The National Association of Elementary School Principals cites the primary function of instructional leadership as leading learning communities.

Within this concept, the shift in education has gone from teaching to learning, with some even going so far as to coin the term "learning leader" in reference to an instructional administrator.

Within a system of instructional leadership, the administrator encourages educational achievement by making the quality of instruction the top priority of the institution. As such, the role differs from that of a traditional school administrator in a number of crucial ways. Chief among them is the act of transforming the role of administrator from someone who spends the majority of their time dealing with administrative duties to one who becomes the primary learner within the organisation.

In this capacity, the instructional leader is better able to strive for excellence in education by working with teachers, parents and even the community as a whole to redefine educational objectives and set school-wide or district-wide goals for improvement.

Additional responsibilities in this role require the instructional administrator to provide the necessary resources for learning to students as well as continuing education opportunities for teachers and staff, thereby ensuring that the institution remains up to date on the latest approaches and techniques for learning. Acting as an instructional resource, the administrator may:

*Establish clear goals for students, teachers and staff

*Allocate resources

*Manage the curriculum to ensure it coincides with goals

*Monitor lesson plans to make sure they conform to the established guidelines

*Evaluate teachers based on the new parameters

Reasons for Adopting Instructional Leadership

Those who train to become instructional leaders must exhibit a clear sense of direction for their school, prioritising the issues that directly impact the output of students.

In addition, an instructional leader continuously monitors the classroom to leverage the strengths of teachers while reducing their weaknesses. But more essential than any other factor, these principals lead by example, serving as a visible presence and committed to achieving the highest success in teaching and learning.

As in many other avenues of life, those who exhibit the most enthusiasm are the ones who inspire the most people. And this contagious enthusiasm is at the core of instructional leadership.

Viewed as a collaborative learning environment that readily employs the ideas and creativity present in teachers and support staff, the process of learning within a system of instructional leadership is no longer confined solely to the classroom. Instead, it becomes the objective of all educators.

The rise of instructional leadership indicates a significant departure from the tradition of an authoritarian administrator.

Instead, the process of learning is viewed as a pursuit that should take place from the top-down. In theory, if those overseeing the management of the institution and its resources are excited about learning, they'll share this enthusiasm with those around them, a viral process that spreads from teachers to students, from students to parents and, before long, from parents to the community at large.

Aside from the obvious benefits received by students, think what this level of enthusiasm among voters would inspire when considering a funding-based referendum on the next ballot.

How Small Business Culture Can Create Success

By: Business Dictionary

What do you think of when you think about small business culture? It can mean many things depending on who you talk to. It can be a "brand," motto, values, uniforms, or behaviors. It could also be service level, return/exchange policy, or customer appreciation gestures. Do you think of Main Street USA, with all the "Mom n' Pop" shops on both sides of the street? Do you think about a small business doing business out of a garage? Culture is a set of attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and customs.

These cultural cues are ingrained in the members of the business, team, or group, and then accepted as the norm. Beliefs about the role of the business, and how business activities fall into this understanding of culture, is typically dictated by how employees interact within their own cultural boundaries. Small business culture will determine what kind of customers it attracts, the service it delivers, and its growth. Customs of a business culture might be dress code, communication style, physical environment, or even the level of formality. Dress code in the workplace projects an image about the company, to potential and current customers. If a business doesn't have a dress code, employees will certainly attempt to wear whatever they deem to be appropriate, and this may not always be acceptable. Customers do not want to feel like they are giving their hard earned money to a business that doesn't care about its image. In a business to business relationship, it is important to understand that each party is a reflection of the other. Business owners/managers should always protect their interests by having a written dress code policy, otherwise the business might suffer. Communication style (in the literal sense) is another custom that reflects onto the business. If communication within an organization is relaxed and unprofessional, the same will occur when meeting with customers. Maintaining professional dialogue will also minimize the chance for harassment charges.

Communication style in the functional sense is an important part of a business' success. If communication breaks down within an organization, service and sales will be compromised. Businesses should set forth expectations for communication protocol, in order to prevent lost sales. Most successful business leaders would agree that the physical environment of a business can make or break the bank. In a retail environment it is crucial to have an inviting environment, which includes clean, uncluttered, and safe. Not many consumers will frequent dirty, cluttered, and unsafe establishments. A good rule to follow when creating business culture, especially in retail, is "Straight is clean, Crooked is dirty". In a manufacturing environment, clean, safe, and uncluttered are equally important the success of the business. If the physical environment in a manufacturing plant is not maintained, morale tends to be bad, and accidents are frequent. Morale and injuries tend to go hand in hand, and both affect the company's bottom line. A business that creates a culture of cleanliness will also experience better morale and fewer accidents as employees will be more inclined to maintain a clean environment. Professional office environments must also be maintained and inviting, otherwise customers will likely avoid visiting or directing new business to the company. Most people clean their homes before inviting guests, the same should be true in the workplace. Attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors are related, and have a huge impact on business culture. Is there a difference between large business culture and small business culture? The answer isn't easy. Large businesses have usually established through expensive media campaigns, and large cash outlays for remodels, uniforms, or other things that will help them establish their "brand" or culture. However, despite these investments, they may be challenged by employees that don't buy into the campaign. The customer may easily identify the culture to the business, but that doesn't guarantee employees will deliver according to the cultural context. Small businesses on the other hand may not have the resources for expensive media campaigns, etc. invested. Small businesses pride themselves on customer intimacy, less bureaucracy, and ability to "walk the talk". Employees in small businesses tend to share the same understanding of goals, processes, and expectations. Large and small business cultures require the same ingredients, just on different levels. Both require established dress codes, communication processes, clean facilities, and most importantly, EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT. If employees don't buy into the company culture, everything else is wasted. Company culture should begin in the early stages of training, train to retain employees that believe in the company culture. Employees that believe in the company culture will also live and share it with others. Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN