Three Crucial Traits for Winning in Life

There are many different traits that are essential for a better life but when it comes to truly winning in life, there are three crucial traits that one must embody. These are knowledge, passion and humor. Let’s take a quick look at each of these: 

Knowledge

Knowledge is the key quality that enables a man or woman to realize his or her true personal potential. Knowledge sets one apart since it enables you to demonstrate higher capacities and capabilities. The difference between one’s current state and a future desired state is normally bridged by the quality of one’s knowledge. Knowledge lifts you up from the pit to the pinnacle of your desires. 

Passion

Passion separates between the committed and the non-committed. Passion is the one essential quality that enables the realization of dreams and desires. Passion births zealous commitment in an individual and enables him or her to stay focused on the quest for a better life. All revolutions throughout the history of mankind have always been brought about by passion individuals.

Humor

Humor is an essential trait because it provides us with the motivation to continue striving through situations that may not fully be desirable. Having a sense of humor about life is essential. Fun, excitement, enjoyment, laughter and happiness are key pieces in teh puzzle of life. Life offers us many unique experiences and challenges. Humor enables us to ride these unique experiences and challenges without losing motivation.  

Initiative, Decisions and Risks: The Power of Action TNT

A few years ago I heard someone talk about the need for Action TNT, meaning action Today, Not Tomorrow. I think the tape was on procrastination and how to avoid it. Today I would like to talk about three strategies for taking action TNT:

Take initiative

Initiative is the first step towards achievement. Many people lag in life because of procrastination. In order to realize our true potential, we must learn to take initiative when it comes to pursuing personal goals and objectives. Initiative separates the committed from the pretenders, it is the link that connects dreams with results.

Navigate decisions

Many people freeze when it comes to decision-making. Making a clear-cut decision is one of the toughest things any one could do. Decision-making stems from embracing change. Knowing how to navigate change is therefore a core competence that should be grasped completely. Learn to make good decisions and you will accomplish great things in life.

Take risks

Risk-taking is one of the most feared competencies but it must be mastered because there can never be reward unless risks are taken. When it comes to risk-taking, our only fear should be the fear of not taking risks. Having an intuitive ability for stepping out and taking risks is the key to attaining results.

Let’s take action Today … Not Tomorrow!

Navigating Transitions Successfully

Life is full of transitions. We all experience moments in life when we have to make transitional changes. Right from birth to our final resting, it’s all about transition. It’s the transition from the womb to the world, from the bassinet to the crib, from home to school, from high school to college, college to career and so on. The successful navigation of transitions is a tough thing. Transitions can either lead to an abyss or bliss. It all depends on how you handle it.

Transitions are difficult. Understanding the three elements of trnsition is the key to moving on. These are closure, limbo and advancement.

Closure signifies the end of one stage. It is the point at which we have to let go of the former. Many people have a hard time handling closures but it is important to understand that everything changes. That knowledge itself guarantees you two-thirds of the victory during transitions. The other third is found in understanding the other two elements.

The second element is limbo. This is a trying time because you haven’t quite moved out of closure and are yet to experience the new thing. The most important skill here is that of letting go of the former. New attitudes have to be shaped. New concepts need to be grasped. If this is done well, then your progress to the third element of transition – advancement – is secure.

Advancement is when you have completely put behind the old and have successfully navigated your way to a better life. At this stage, you can look back and say, “Wow! I’m glad I made that change!” May your transitions be fruitful! 

Shared Vision and Teamwork

When I was six years old my parents took me from the city to the country where I had to undergo a traditional African circumcision ceremony. I learnt so much during that initiation and I share most of it through my speech, The Hero’s Journey. One of the things that happened was that the entire “class” of initiates was given a name to identify them. The name gave the entire class a sense of oneness and purpose. We, in a way, became a support team for one another.

In very much the same way, we need support teams for every day life. The age of the lone ranger is forever gone. Teaming up with others enables a shared sense of vision for the future. The team is able to develop goals that are bigger than individual goals and can easily be realized. Being part of a team builds confidence and spreads responsibility. It also allows people within the team to mentor each other.

Teamwork makes the future workable; it makes the dream work! Nothing generates more energy in an organization than a team that is cohesive. It’s true that there is no “I” in team but there is a “me” in team. Embrace your team and lift it to a higher level!

Circumstances do not determine our destiny

Here’s an interesting bit of statistic: “75% of world class leaders were either born in poverty, had a serious disability or were abused as children.” Wow! And to think that they still pulled through and became who they are today! This shows that it’s not what happens to you that matters but how you handle it that makes the diference.

Isn’t it true that so many people live under the circumstances when they could be living above their circumstances? We were designed for accomplishment and engineered for greatness. Circumstances should never govern our existence. Living above the circumstances means having a proper attitude about everything that happens. It means having a bigger picture of our situations.

Champions thrive when challenged: Lessons from Tiger Woods, Rory Sabatini and the Bridgestone Invitational

Yesterday I had the chance to watch the World Golf Championship Bridgestone Invitational with my son. A lot of people were looking forward to the final round because Rory Sabbatini, a fiery South African had a one shot lead on Tiger and three months earlier (in May) had lost a one-shot lead to Woods in the Wachovia Championship, and then said that Woods looked “as beatable as ever.” Once again, just as he did in May, Woods put on a clinic for Sabatini, clawing his way past him and finishing with an eight shot win! – the only player in red numbers at the end of the tournament! Tiger demonstrated that Rory’s challenge was simply talk that could not back up. Tiger unleashed a bogey-free round that made him the first player in golf history to win the same tournament three-consecutive times, twice. Here are some ideas on how champions respond to a challenge:

Lessons from Tiger Woods, Rory Sabatini and the WGC Bridgestone Invitational

1. Inch by Inch it’s a Cinch

Tiger won this tournament by playing consistently right from the beginning. Every hole he played counted as he advanced towards the last hole of the championship. Every inch of the course had to be played. In order to win in life you must realize that there are no short-cuts to winning. Every little effort you put into the quest for success counts. Keep plugging away.

2. Play your own game

At the end of the game, Sabatini said, “I never put any pressure on Tiger, never forced the issue, and he got far enough ahead so he could just cruise. In a sense, I played into his game.” Hmm! Champions play their own game. You’ve got to play your own game. Don’t drive the ball down the fairway just because everyone else is doing that. The key to winning is to develop your own goals and timelines. This is your game, not someone else’s.

3. Don’t be intimidated

What everyone is going to talk about all week are Sabatini’s words that Tiger looked as “beatable as ever.” Everyone wanted to see how these words would impact Tiger. He was not moved all. He simply let his clubs do the talking for him. He stayed focused. If you are going to be a champion, you must choose to stay focused on your personal path. Let your skills do the talking. 

4. Believe in your ability

Everyone has also been talking about whether Tiger can win now that he is a father. Well, he’s answered that question. As everyone is wasting time talking about his abilities, Tiger is investing time in working on his game. To become a champion you must do the same. You must believe in yourself and your abilities. It doesn’t matter what may have happened to you in the past. What matters is what you believe right now. You can do it. As Norman Vincent Peale used to say, “You can if you think you can”.

5. Give yourself the best chance

Tiger gave himself the best chance by playing some really clean golf on the front nine. After the game, he said, “I just kept making par after par after par, and the weather kept changing, kept getting more difficult, and I felt if I could just keep making a bunch of pars, the guys were going to have to get greedy and aggressive to some of these pins and probably make a mistake.” (Click here to read the entire interview) You have to up your game in the crucial moments of life. That’s how you give yourself the best chance to win.

Much kudos to Tiger; a great lesson for all of us.  

Three Keys to Success and Productivity in Life

We all face moments when our ability to perform is limited by current structures that pose immense threat to the vision within us. What is one to do in those situations? How do we ensure that our output will be measurable to our input without having to demolishing our present structures? How do we develop a system that allows us to fire missiles from canoes without toppling over into the water? There are three key ideas that will empower us in this area.

1. Have a Mission that matches your Vision

Your daily undertakings need to fit into the bigger picture of your ultimate objectives. Many individuals have dropped the ball by engaging in activities that are outside the range of their life’s vision. Vision is guarded by staying on the critical path with the a solid personal mission.

2. Develop Goals that align with your Philosophy

Your philosophy is crucial to the outcomes and output of your life. Your goals should align with the values that you hold dearest. Every human being needs to clarify what it is that he or she holds as fundamental to his or her existence. Your have to hold onto your core values.

3. Create a Strategy that builds on your Accomplishments

Strategy is the key to building value in life. Value is measured by one’s accomplishments. The more you accomplish, the more you acquire a competitive advantage in life. Strategy therefore is key to the long-term success of your vision.

These three keys, applied in an orderly manner will bring success and productivity in life.