Showing posts with label New Year Resolution. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year Resolution. Show all posts

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Happy New Year 2012

Another year is gone. Happy New Year 2012. Personally, 2011, despite tsunamis (Japan comes to mind), famine in Somalia and brutal crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in North Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere, was a great year in many respects. My set goals were achieved, including the daunting goal of learning a new language - Finnish. This was only one of my goals for 2011. I wrote it down at the beginning of the year and took necessary steps to achieve it. It is worth mentioning that improving this language skills is one of my goals for 2012.

Last year, in my happy new year 2011 message, which happens to be the most popular article on this blog as of the time of this writing, I stressed the importance of written goals or "new year resolutions". I still stand by my words and once again encourage you to write down your goals or resolutions for 2012. Write them down where you would see them daily and be reminded of what you intend to achieve.

There is power in written goals.

At the stroke of midnight - breaking 2012 - I was at Senate Square (in Finnish: Senaatintori) in Helsinki, Finland. While there, I had the unique opportunity to witness the good people of Helsinki usher in 2012 in style. At 0:00, fireworks went off at the Square and I captured the moment in a short video. Check it out.



Happy New Year 2012 and of course make it bigger than 2011.

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

My Top 10 Most Inspirational Facebook Friends of the Year - 2009

This year, 2009, was a groundbreaking year for me on Facebook. Through the magic of the internet, I interacted with people who shared their thoughts, perspectives and insights on a variety of issues. A couple of them made a major deposite to my knowledge bank, by sharing and exchanging inspiring thoughts. I was inspired by people, most of whom I have not met. Without further ado, here's my Top 10 Most Inspirational Facebook Friends of 2009. The following list is in alphabetical order:

1) Jemia Asobo: She is one of the few I have met in person. As a matter of fact, she was my teacher in secondary school. She introduced me to French language and English Literature. We've not met for a long time. But, thanks to Facebook, she remains my teacher and continues to inspire me from a distance. She updates her status with poetic quotes, from time to time. I hope someday she reads this: Thank you very much, Ms. J! You're still the best!

2) Hilaire Aben: Wow! I don't think I have met Hilaire. But I suspect our paths crossed somewhere in Cameroon (we have many mutual friends). From the day I added him as a friends on Facebook, I knew he was a guy to watch. Guess what happened? After a very short period of time, he published his blog: MY FOOD FOR THOUGHTS YOU DO THE DISHES. His blog inspired me to publish mine - which was unpublished for a very long time. I hope you're reading this, brother: Keep doing your thing; you never know who's watching!

3) Lema Abeng-Nsah: My big sister and mentor! What can I say? I'm sure she knows her name will be on such a list. I can never thank her enough for her support and leadership. Without her, I'd still be the "little boy" I was prior to October 8 2008. She exposed me to an opportunity which has made me the man I'm today. Needless to say, she has been with me every step of the way and is determined to support me all the way to the finish line. I read her blog, Face2Face with Success  daily. I suggest you become a fan of her blog on Facebook. You won't regret it! I'd be doing her justice by mentioning that she inspired the title of my blog: On The Road To Success. I can write all day long about her, but I promised myself to be brief. (I wrote something about her in detail, here). Simply put, I'd name her my person of the year - 2009, if I have to. I know she's reading this: Thank you very much. You've earned a place in a chapter of my success story (no matter when I write it). Remember, you still have many lives to impact. You can't stop now! Come 2010, "we gonna post up on the top spot!" Right? The road ahead is daunting. But I'll see you at the finish line.

4) Lincoln Parks: I like the name Lincoln Parks! We have not met but he continues to impact me from afar. He got me interested in a great success coach - the late Jim Rohn. Consequently, whenever, I quote Jim Rohn, it's thanks to my friend - Lincoln Parks. I hope he reads this: Thank you very much Mr. Parks. I'll see you in Atlanta, GA in 2010 (God willing). Keep putting out those great messages. I remain a fan of your blog: lincolnparks.com.

5) Marilyn Figueroa: Great Facebook friend! Again, I must confess, I like the name Figueroa! She's a great leader who believes in business ownership. She reaches her audience via videos. She puts out great messages and inspires me to take my business to the next level. I like her video on Customer Service. Thanks, Marilyn. I enjoy your every video!

6) Paul Kroto: We have not met! He has a lot energy and passion for his business. He puts out lots of inspirational messages too and I  visit his website - PaulKroto.com - from time to time to see what he has been up to.

7) Sama Ndango: I have not met Sama. He's an upcoming motivational speaker who reaches out to his audience via videos. He puts out lots of inspirational messages and he has an amazing STORY. The day I read his story, I was like, WOW! Recently, he started his talk show - the Sama Ndango Show. He's one of those ordinary people doing extraordinary things. A guy to watch!

8) Tamiko Zackery: I like this name too! I have not met Tamiko but we have spoken on the phone. She's a great leader who's dedicated to helping people reach their full potential. I wonder where she gets her Facebook status updates - very inspiring. She's one of those who get me back on track when I loss focus. I love a quote on her website TamikoZackery.com - "Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact." - William James.

9) Tishina Pettiford: She's a leaders' leader! She trains and motivates me from afar by giving me the opportunity to participate LIVE in Super-Saturday business events all across the United States. I was particularly motivated by an episode of "Life of a Platinum." She streamed it LIVE from Montgomery, Alabama on December 19, 2009. It was awesome!

10) Wilma Colon Ariza: She's one of my favorite bloggers. In her own words, "I review everything under the sun and share it with you and the world as a Social Media Personality, Internet Marketing Strategist, Personal Development Advocate, Social Causes Activist, Blogger, Author and Speaker." What you want to do is follow her blog, Everything Wilma. Thanks, Wilma! You have such an incredible STORY. You're an epitome of mothers who refuse to throw in the towel. You defy the odds and you've inspired me, not to make excuses. I have you in my prayers. I'll see you at the TOP!

The aforementioned people have inspired me in one way or the other and I'm grateful. My word to them: Thank you all very much for making 2009 go down in my history books, as the most educative and empowering year. As we enter 2010, my wish for you is that you continue to impact lives and may all your resolutions be achieved.

To all my Facebook friends: Thank you for being my friends. I appreciate you all. As we begin a new decade, I encourage you to "form winning alliances" and make room for the right people in your life. Happy New Year! I hope many more people make the list in 2010.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Never Make a New Year Resolution Before You Read this!

As the year draws to a close, people are thinking about their New Year Resolutions. It's a tradition which dates as far back as 153 B.C.

A New Year resolution is a commitment made by an individual, to a project or the reforming of a habit. It is called the New Year's resolution because the commitment goes into effect on New Year Day. It is worth mentioning that different cultures have different New Year days. But the most common is 1 January.

Simply put, a new year resolution is a goal. As people begin a new year, they set goals and stick to them until they're fulfilled or abandoned. Just like many other goals, new year resolutions are more often than not, abandoned. No doubt, this is the case because very few people have mastered the art of setting goals and achieving them. Recent research shows that while 52% of participants in a resolution study were confident of success with their goals, only 12% actually achieve their goals. The question is, are new year resolutions made just to fulfill a tradition?

The most popular new year resolutions include:
  • Quit smoking
  • Loss weight
  • Enjoy life more
  • Quit drinking
  • Get out of debt
  • Learn something new
  • Help others
  • Get organized
  • Appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends
  • Improve grades
  • Get a better job
  • Reduce stress
  • Be less grumpy
Did your new year resolution for last year make the list? Was it fulfilled or was it abandoned?

If it was abandoned, you have another chance this year. But, before you make another resolution, you have to change your mindset. You can't make another resolution with the same mindset you had last year and expect a different result. More importantly, if you didn't write down your resolution last year, make sure you write it down this year. Write it down where you can always see it. When you have it written down, you'd have a stronger commitment and seeing it everyday will remind you of your commitment.

Above all, if you failed to fulfill your resolution last year, you MUST make the same resolution this year. This will remind you of how much of a failure you were in the past year. The point is, when you fail, just like in school, you have to take the course all over.

Make a self-evaluation. If you sincerely know you fulfilled your resolution last year, raise the bar this year and set a higher goal. That's the only way you'd become a better person and achieve more.

I can't fail to mention those who don't make any resolutions or set clear goals. This is like blowing in the wind. As Jim Rohn said, "it's the set of the sails, not the direction of the wind that determines which way we will go."

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