My Birthday Dairies continued

so sorry i haven't been making more regular posts (apologies to my loyal followers and readers only), I've been so warped with work since August it's been heard to keep up. plus my birthday and wedding anniversary were this month as well and as is my custom, i get personal when i document my birthday dairy article/post. Initially i shared my birthday tale on my facebook page but due to lack of time, I've decided to share it here with you and work on a new post for November. so here it is: "Since 2009, I've had a string of rather unique birthday experiences which I compiled under my blog post 'My Birthday Dairy'. This year however seems to defy the trend. For the first time, I had no plans and very few expectations. At the end of the day, I had a filling brunch, watched an awesome movie, got a makeover, combined resources to give my church folks a treat after midweek service and had Chinese for dinner. in a romantic setting for two (Nathan was not part of our dinner plans) and had cake for dessert. Not to mention the love from family and friends. Rather than a weird combination of events that previously accompanied my birthdays, I had a simple sweet day. A celebration I would give an arm for. I call it my fun & love filled birthday. Lesson learned, Don't sweat the small stuff. Thanks to everyone who made my day." pictures coming up later. ciao.

LEADERSHIP 300: LEAD THE CHANGE

I firmly believe that leadership is not the exclusive right of people in positions of authority rather it is everyone’s responsibility. That is why when Benson Idahosa University (here in Benin City, Nigeria) began a Change Nigeria Seminar series on the 30th of August 2013, I didn’t think it strange that I should attend (with my baby of course; I don’t have a nanny yet).

The speaker for this event was the accomplished bestselling Author, Business Consultant and Motivational Speaker, Brian Tracy. He spoke so eloquently on a number of topics and trust your girl, I took notes like a secretary poised to transcribe all she heard into the creation of a book or into a publication. I’d like to share a few keynotes that made quite an impression on me (paraphrased of course).

“As you improve yourself, you improve the workings of society. The most valuable and rewarding work you can do is think. Thinking determines the quality of choices which in turn affects the results you produce. The most important part of attending seminars is the action you take i.e. what you do with what you’ve heard. When you take action towards your goal, you get feedback that allows you to self-correct; you get ideas (to make it better) and your confidence goes up. This is why some people are more creative about achieving their goals. When you take a step, it helps you see the next step and see ahead better. The 7 most important qualities for success include: Vision, Focus, Courage, Integrity, Responsibility, Communication and Network. Even if you have only one person looking up to you, you are a leader. As a leader, it is your responsibility to set and achieve your goals, to solve problems and make decisions. You have to lead by example, set the standard for everyone to emulate (e.g. be harder working than your subordinates, complete all your tasks, be punctual, etc) and perform effectively so as to get results. Results are everything and people who get results get respected.”

I didn’t get a chance, like a few people I know, to have a personal shot with Brian Tracy but I’m glad I was in the video coverage by NTA Benin, Silverbird Television and Iwo Media. The next seminar promises to be interesting as plans to get John C. Maxwell are well underway. I don’t intend to miss out on such an awesome seminar. I’ll leave you with a popular direct quote from Brian Tracy, “You are the architect of your own destiny; you are the master of your own fate; you are behind the steering wheel of your life. There are no limitations to what you can have, do or be. Except the limitation you place on yourself by your own thinking”.