Live Full, Die Empty

I refuse to live an unlived life

I refuse to live an average life

I refuse to live in mediocrity

I refuse to live an ordinary life

I refuse to live a common life

I refuse to die with my dreams inside me.

I choose to live a full life

I choose to live an above-average life

I choose to live in excellence

I choose to live an extra-ordinary life

I choose to live an uncommon life

I choose to live full and die empty.

This is my year of divine lifting, uncommon favor and rest!

The Passing of a Motivational Icon

July 16, 2012 marked the end of a life well lived- Stephen Covey passed on. He will be remembered for authoring what would be termed as classics. You will remember The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, First Things First, The 8th Habit of Highly Effective people among other books.

Covey made a valuable contribution to the development of humanity. He helped millions of people to live better lives and many organisations to improve their productivity. He lived well.....He served well...He lived passionately.

I will always remember his quote: The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing.

Become a Student of Self-Education

Most of the people that have changed the course of history have not been that well educated......especially in terms of formal education. Mention Isaac Newton, Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Ted Turner, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Branson among many others. The common denominators for all these is that they did not have good formal education like many of us.

However, it will be foolhardy to think that these men were just uneducated. Not at all. These men devoted hours and hours into self-education. It is self-education that shaped their lives and their businesses. It is self-education that will help you to live your dreams, stretch your goals, live a balanced life, start successful businesses, invest wisely, achieve financial freedom and more important, live the true meaning of your life.

The late Jim Rohn said, 'Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune.' To the best of my knowledge, Jim Rohn is indeed right. Learning more will earn you more. It will help you to do more, achieve more, become more and give more.

Become a student of self-education. Make your car an automobile university. Build a home library full of motivational books and DVDs. Devour each inspirational book you set your hands on. Listen to motivational talks that will help you live your dreams. Go to seminars and learn new ideas and concepts. Be an eternal student.

10 Facts in 2012- Lest you forget!

Here is a reminder of some facts that should keep you focused in 2012:

1. You were born with a purpose and for a purpose;
2. You are not an experiment in Planet Earth;
3. You are not an accident or a mistake in the world;
4. Your purpose for living will determine your potential to function;
5. There is a seed of greatness deposited in each human being;
6. There is provision for your vision in life;
7. God never created a nightmare; He created dreams that come to pass;
8. God never created junk;
9. Life is not a straight line from womb to tomb and;
10. The greatest tragedy is not death; it is living a life without progress.

Do not just be a spectator; Determine and commit to make at least one big goal happen in 2012.

10 Self-Motivation Tips in 2012

The best motivation is self-motivation. You are the only one who can get that 'imprisoned splendour' out of yourself. Here are some of the self-motivation tips that will keep you motivated in 2012:-
1. Be yourself without any reservations;
2. Focus on becoming;
3. Start a trend by believing in yourself if others don't;
4. There is only one person you must answer to in the end-yourself;
5. Don't let your weaknesses overshadow your strengths;
6. Do what you love;
7. When you face a Herculean task, ask yourself: 'What can i do with what i have?';
8. Cut out unnecessary negatives from your life (dwelling on bad news);
9. Everyone is good at something and;
10. Conceive and believe to achieve.

10 Ways of Improving your Creativity in 2012

Here are some of the ways you can use to be more creative in the coming year and hence make more opportunities for yourself and others:-
1. Be flexible;
2. Develop a broad range of interests;
3. Use your routine chore time to think of new ideas (while riding in the bus);
4. Surround yourself with creative people;
5. Never stop questioning the obvious;
6. Throw the conventional rules out of the window;
7. Keep a journal to jot down a multitude of ideas as they arise;
8. Give your mind the freedom and latitude to create;
9. Seek new experiences and;
10. Unlearn some of the old and unproductive things you learnt in the past.

The Stop Doing List in 2012

1. Stop procrastinating on things that must be completed;
2. Stop taking NO for an answer;
3. Stop making excuses;
4. Stop walking with the 'little chicken';
5. Stop settling for less than you deserve;
6. Stop quitting mid-way;
7. Stop blaming others for your failures;
8. Stop limiting yourself;
9. Stop comparing yourself with others;
10. Stop pursuing other people's visions and goals;
11. Stop associating with negative people and;
12. Stop looking for success in the wrong places.