Life Happens to Everyone: The Unavoidable Test of Resilience

Life Happens To Everyone

#Life Happens To Everyone: Ok it may not be you at center stage of pressure TODAY, could just be next week, month,year or next decade.Life does not respect your turf but comes to reveal how tough your turf is. Keep working on your Turf as LIFE is coming!!! HIWORKS

That is the original piece.

Here's a slightly refined version to amplify its impact:

#LifeHappensToEveryone: Today, it may not be you standing at the epicenter of pressure. But life is unpredictable—it could be next week, next month, next year, or even the next decade. Life doesn't respect your boundaries; instead, it tests the strength of your foundation. Keep building, keep strengthening, because Life is Coming!— HIWORKS

Life Happens to Everyone: The Unavoidable Test of Resilience

Life is a journey filled with unexpected turns. Sometimes, it feels like you're cruising effortlessly; at other times, it feels like you’re walking through fire. Whether or not you are the focus of life's challenges at this moment, one truth remains universal: Life happens to everyone.

Today, you may be in a season of peace and progress, but this calm is not permanent. Tomorrow, next month, or even a decade from now, life will demand a test of your resilience. It could be financial strain, health challenges, career upheavals, or personal loss. These moments aren’t designed to destroy but to reveal—the strength of your foundation, the toughness of your turf.

Why Life Challenges Are Inevitable

Life doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t care about your age, gender, wealth, or social status. Its mission is singular: to bring situations that push you beyond your comfort zone, shake your beliefs, and demand growth. These challenges are the crucibles where character is refined and purpose is discovered.

As Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Challenges are part of the seasons of life, woven into the fabric of human existence to fulfill divine purpose.

When challenges come, they serve as mirrors, reflecting how prepared—or unprepared—you are. The cracks in your “turf,” your foundational strength, will become evident. That’s why waiting for life to test you isn’t an option; you must prepare now.

Strengthening Your Turf

The question isn’t whether life will test you but how prepared you’ll be when it does. Strengthening your “turf” involves building habits, mindset, and support systems that can withstand life's storms. Here’s how:

Invest in Personal Growth: Equip yourself with knowledge, skills, and emotional intelligence. Proverbs 4:7 says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.” These tools help you navigate uncharted territories.

Cultivate Resilience: Learn to bounce back from setbacks. Romans 5:3-4 reminds us, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.”

Build Relationships: Surround yourself with a strong network of family, friends, and mentors. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 teaches, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow.”

Stay Grounded in Values: Challenges test your principles. A clear sense of purpose and values will act as a compass when life tries to disorient you. Joshua 1:8 advises, “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

Prepare Spiritually: Life’s tests often require more than physical or emotional strength; they demand spiritual fortitude. Isaiah 41:10 offers reassurance: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

The Call to Action

Life will come, and it will come for everyone. Today, you might not be at the center stage of pressure, but someone else is. Take this moment of calm to strengthen your turf. Let each step you take be intentional, building a life that can withstand the storms when they arrive.

Remember Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” With preparation, faith, and resilience, you can stand firm when life’s inevitable challenges come knocking.

HIWORKS

Case Study: Strengthening Resilience Through Preparation – Life Happens to Everyone

Introduction

Life’s challenges are inevitable. Whether personal, professional, or societal, every individual will face seasons of pressure that test their strength and resilience. This case study explores how proactive preparation can help individuals navigate these challenges successfully. Drawing from biblical principles and practical strategies, we examine a hypothetical individual’s journey through adversity.

Case Overview

Subject: Adedayo, a 35-year-old professional and father of two

Scenario: Adedayo is a middle manager in a logistics company. For years, his life followed a steady rhythm—consistent income, stable family life, and clear career goals. Suddenly, a corporate restructuring leads to job loss, creating financial strain and emotional distress.

Adedayo’s story mirrors the central theme of “Life Happens to Everyone.” This case study examines how his preparation—or lack thereof—impacts his ability to manage the crisis.

Challenges Faced by Adedayo

Financial Crisis: Loss of income disrupts his family’s financial stability.

Emotional Stress: Anxiety about providing for his family leads to sleepless nights.

Loss of Identity: His career was a significant part of his identity, leaving him feeling purposeless.

Relationship Strains: The stress creates tension in his marriage.

Evaluating Adedayo’s Preparation

1. Personal Growth

Strengths: Adedayo invested in professional development and had a solid skill set.

Gaps: He neglected emotional intelligence and stress management training, leaving him unprepared for the emotional toll of job loss.

2. Financial Planning

Strengths: Adedayo had some savings.

Gaps: He lacked a diversified income stream or emergency fund to cushion the impact of prolonged unemployment.

3. Support Systems

Strengths: He maintained strong family relationships and a network of friends.

Gaps: He rarely sought mentorship or advice from those who could provide guidance during the crisis.

4. Spiritual Foundation

Strengths: Adedayo was a regular churchgoer and believed in the power of prayer.

Gaps: His faith was more ritualistic than deeply rooted, leaving him spiritually unprepared for life’s storms.

Turning Point

Adedayo’s crisis forced him to reassess his approach to resilience. Drawing on lessons from biblical principles, he decided to take proactive steps:

Personal Growth: Enrolled in a leadership course to expand his career options. Proverbs 4:7 inspired him: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.”

Financial Strategy: Worked with a financial advisor to create a budget and explore alternative income sources.

Support Systems: Opened up to friends and mentors, who provided practical advice and emotional support, fulfilling Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one... For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow.”

Spiritual Growth: Committed to daily prayer and meditation on scriptures like Isaiah 41:10: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God...”

Outcome

With these changes, Adedayo experienced:

Career Transition: Secured a role in a new industry within six months.

Stronger Relationships: Reconnected with his wife and children by spending more quality time together.

Renewed Purpose: His faith deepened, providing him with inner peace and a sense of direction.

Financial Stability: Built a more resilient financial foundation to withstand future challenges.

Lessons Learned

Preparation is Key: Proactive investments in personal growth, financial planning, and relationships are essential to resilience.

Faith as a Foundation: A strong spiritual foundation offers peace and clarity during life’s storms.

Community Matters: Trusted relationships can provide support and wisdom when navigating challenges.

Conclusion

Adedayo’s story demonstrates that while life will inevitably present challenges, resilience is built through preparation and reliance on faith, wisdom, and community. As Psalm 46:1 reminds us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” By embracing these principles, anyone can stand firm when life happens.

The True Social Security: Empowering Others

The True Social Security: Empowering Others

In a world often preoccupied with individual survival and material accumulation, the true essence of security is easily overlooked. We invest in walls, insurance policies, and savings accounts, believing they will shield us from the uncertainties of life. Yet, the most profound and enduring form of social security lies not in what we hoard for ourselves but in what we give to others. True social security is the power to empower.

What Does Empowerment Mean?

Empowerment goes beyond charity or temporary aid. It means equipping people with the tools, resources, and opportunities to build their own futures. It’s about enabling others to stand on their own, to make decisions, and to create pathways to a better life. Empowerment is education, access to information, skill development, and fostering an environment where individuals can thrive.

When we empower, we ignite a sense of purpose and self-worth in others. We transform dependency into capability, and despair into hope. This is not just an act of kindness but a critical investment in the collective strength of humanity.

Why Empowerment is True Security

1. Sustainability

Empowered individuals are not reliant on external support. They generate their own means of survival and, in turn, uplift their communities. A young woman who is taught a trade doesn’t just earn for herself; she supports her family, educates her children, and inspires her neighbors.

2. Resilience

Challenges and crises are inevitable, but empowered people are better equipped to navigate them. When a community has access to education, healthcare, and entrepreneurial opportunities, it can withstand economic downturns, natural disasters, or political instability far better than one that relies solely on external aid.

3. The Ripple Effect

Empowerment is contagious. One person’s success story becomes a beacon of hope for others. A mentor can inspire dozens, a teacher can shape hundreds, and a community project can transform thousands. The positive impact of empowering one person often multiplies exponentially.

Real-Life Examples of Empowerment

History and contemporary society provide countless examples of empowerment creating security.

Women Entrepreneurs in Rural Areas: In many developing countries, microfinance initiatives have empowered women to start small businesses. These women not only escape poverty but also uplift entire communities by creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Youth Empowerment Through Technology: Programs that teach coding and digital skills to underprivileged youth have opened doors to global opportunities. These young minds go on to innovate, solve local problems, and inspire others to dream big.

Community Renewable Energy Projects: Communities that adopt sustainable energy solutions reduce dependence on unstable power grids and expensive fuels. They create jobs, lower costs, and ensure a reliable energy source for generations.

Challenges to Empowerment

Empowerment is not without its challenges. Systemic barriers such as poverty, corruption, and discrimination often impede progress. Many communities lack the infrastructure or resources to take the first step toward self-reliance. Fear of change or loss of control can also create resistance.

But these barriers are not insurmountable. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to remove obstacles. Policies should prioritize education, gender equality, and access to resources. Grassroots initiatives should involve communities directly, fostering ownership and accountability.

How You Can Contribute to Empowerment

Every individual has the capacity to empower others:

1. Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: Share your skills and experiences with those who can benefit. A few hours of guidance can transform someone’s life.

2. Support Community Projects: Volunteer your time or contribute to initiatives that focus on sustainable development.

3. Advocate for Inclusive Policies: Use your voice to influence policies that promote education, healthcare, and equal opportunities.

4. Celebrate and Amplify Success Stories: Highlight individuals and projects that exemplify the power of empowerment.

Conclusion

True social security is not found in isolation or self-preservation. It is found in the collective strength of empowered communities. When we empower others, we create a ripple effect of resilience, sustainability, and hope that transcends boundaries and generations.

Imagine a world where every person has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. A world where security is not defined by how much we can protect ourselves but by how much we can uplift each other. This is the true social security: a shared commitment to empowering others and building a future that we can all depend on.

Now is the time to act, to empower, and to secure not just our own lives but the future of humanity. Let’s build a world where everyone stands tall, together.

The True Social Security: Empowering Others

In a world often preoccupied with individual survival and material accumulation, the true essence of security is easily overlooked. We invest in walls, insurance policies, and savings accounts, believing they will shield us from the uncertainties of life. Yet, the most profound and enduring form of social security lies not in what we hoard for ourselves but in what we give to others. True social security is the power to empower.

What Does Empowerment Mean?

Empowerment goes beyond charity or temporary aid. It means equipping people with the tools, resources, and opportunities to build their own futures. It’s about enabling others to stand on their own, to make decisions, and to create pathways to a better life. Empowerment is education, access to information, skill development, and fostering an environment where individuals can thrive.

When we empower, we ignite a sense of purpose and self-worth in others. We transform dependency into capability, and despair into hope. This is not just an act of kindness but a critical investment in the collective strength of humanity.

Why Empowerment is True Security

1. Sustainability

Empowered individuals are not reliant on external support. They generate their own means of survival and, in turn, uplift their communities. A young woman who is taught a trade doesn’t just earn for herself; she supports her family, educates her children, and inspires her neighbors.

2. Resilience

Challenges and crises are inevitable, but empowered people are better equipped to navigate them. When a community has access to education, healthcare, and entrepreneurial opportunities, it can withstand economic downturns, natural disasters, or political instability far better than one that relies solely on external aid.

3. The Ripple Effect

Empowerment is contagious. One person’s success story becomes a beacon of hope for others. A mentor can inspire dozens, a teacher can shape hundreds, and a community project can transform thousands. The positive impact of empowering one person often multiplies exponentially.

Real-Life Examples of Empowerment

History and contemporary society provide countless examples of empowerment creating security.

Women Entrepreneurs in Rural Areas: In many developing countries, microfinance initiatives have empowered women to start small businesses. These women not only escape poverty but also uplift entire communities by creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Youth Empowerment Through Technology: Programs that teach coding and digital skills to underprivileged youth have opened doors to global opportunities. These young minds go on to innovate, solve local problems, and inspire others to dream big.

Community Renewable Energy Projects: Communities that adopt sustainable energy solutions reduce dependence on unstable power grids and expensive fuels. They create jobs, lower costs, and ensure a reliable energy source for generations.

Challenges to Empowerment

Empowerment is not without its challenges. Systemic barriers such as poverty, corruption, and discrimination often impede progress. Many communities lack the infrastructure or resources to take the first step toward self-reliance. Fear of change or loss of control can also create resistance.

But these barriers are not insurmountable. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to remove obstacles. Policies should prioritize education, gender equality, and access to resources. Grassroots initiatives should involve communities directly, fostering ownership and accountability.

How You Can Contribute to Empowerment

Every individual has the capacity to empower others:

1. Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: Share your skills and experiences with those who can benefit. A few hours of guidance can transform someone’s life.

2. Support Community Projects: Volunteer your time or contribute to initiatives that focus on sustainable development.

3. Advocate for Inclusive Policies: Use your voice to influence policies that promote education, healthcare, and equal opportunities.

4. Celebrate and Amplify Success Stories: Highlight individuals and projects that exemplify the power of empowerment.

Conclusion

True social security is not found in isolation or self-preservation. It is found in the collective strength of empowered communities. When we empower others, we create a ripple effect of resilience, sustainability, and hope that transcends boundaries and generations.

Imagine a world where every person has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. A world where security is not defined by how much we can protect ourselves but by how much we can uplift each other. This is the true social security: a shared commitment to empowering others and building a future that we can all depend on.

Now is the time to act, to empower, and to secure not just our own lives but the future of humanity. Let’s build a world where everyone stands tall, together.

The True Social Security: Empowering Others

In a world often preoccupied with individual survival and material accumulation, the true essence of security is easily overlooked. We invest in walls, insurance policies, and savings accounts, believing they will shield us from the uncertainties of life. Yet, the most profound and enduring form of social security lies not in what we hoard for ourselves but in what we give to others. True social security is the power to empower.

What Does Empowerment Mean?

Empowerment goes beyond charity or temporary aid. It means equipping people with the tools, resources, and opportunities to build their own futures. It’s about enabling others to stand on their own, to make decisions, and to create pathways to a better life. Empowerment is education, access to information, skill development, and fostering an environment where individuals can thrive.

When we empower, we ignite a sense of purpose and self-worth in others. We transform dependency into capability, and despair into hope. This is not just an act of kindness but a critical investment in the collective strength of humanity.

Why Empowerment is True Security

1. Sustainability

Empowered individuals are not reliant on external support. They generate their own means of survival and, in turn, uplift their communities. A young woman who is taught a trade doesn’t just earn for herself; she supports her family, educates her children, and inspires her neighbors.

2. Resilience

Challenges and crises are inevitable, but empowered people are better equipped to navigate them. When a community has access to education, healthcare, and entrepreneurial opportunities, it can withstand economic downturns, natural disasters, or political instability far better than one that relies solely on external aid.

3. The Ripple Effect

Empowerment is contagious. One person’s success story becomes a beacon of hope for others. A mentor can inspire dozens, a teacher can shape hundreds, and a community project can transform thousands. The positive impact of empowering one person often multiplies exponentially.

Real-Life Examples of Empowerment

History and contemporary society provide countless examples of empowerment creating security.

Women Entrepreneurs in Rural Areas: In many developing countries, microfinance initiatives have empowered women to start small businesses. These women not only escape poverty but also uplift entire communities by creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Youth Empowerment Through Technology: Programs that teach coding and digital skills to underprivileged youth have opened doors to global opportunities. These young minds go on to innovate, solve local problems, and inspire others to dream big.

Community Renewable Energy Projects: Communities that adopt sustainable energy solutions reduce dependence on unstable power grids and expensive fuels. They create jobs, lower costs, and ensure a reliable energy source for generations.

Challenges to Empowerment

Empowerment is not without its challenges. Systemic barriers such as poverty, corruption, and discrimination often impede progress. Many communities lack the infrastructure or resources to take the first step toward self-reliance. Fear of change or loss of control can also create resistance.

But these barriers are not insurmountable. Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to remove obstacles. Policies should prioritize education, gender equality, and access to resources. Grassroots initiatives should involve communities directly, fostering ownership and accountability.

How You Can Contribute to Empowerment

Every individual has the capacity to empower others:

1. Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: Share your skills and experiences with those who can benefit. A few hours of guidance can transform someone’s life.

2. Support Community Projects: Volunteer your time or contribute to initiatives that focus on sustainable development.

3. Advocate for Inclusive Policies: Use your voice to influence policies that promote education, healthcare, and equal opportunities.

4. Celebrate and Amplify Success Stories: Highlight individuals and projects that exemplify the power of empowerment.

Conclusion

True social security is not found in isolation or self-preservation. It is found in the collective strength of empowered communities. When we empower others, we create a ripple effect of resilience, sustainability, and hope that transcends boundaries and generations.

Imagine a world where every person has the opportunity to fulfill their potential. A world where security is not defined by how much we can protect ourselves but by how much we can uplift each other. This is the true social security: a shared commitment to empowering others and building a future that we can all depend on.

Now is the time to act, to empower, and to secure not just our own lives but the future of humanity. Let’s build a world where everyone stands tall, together.

Contestation With the Personality Called "ME" - Reconciling Conflicts Between Inertia and Belief Systems

Contestation With the Personality Called "ME" - Reconciling Conflicts Between Inertia and Belief Systems

Often, we search for reasons behind our lack of productivity and growth by pointing fingers at the world or the institutions around us. But is it really external factors holding us back, or is it a contest within ourselves—between inertia and our belief systems?

Take students, for instance. Common complaints include:

"There are too many unnecessary courses in my curriculum, causing poor grades."

"The teacher gave us a test on topics not yet covered, which led to my bad results."

"I don't have the textbooks my friends have, and that's why my grades are low."

Workers also tend to blame their circumstances:

"My boss doesn’t like Christians, which is why I haven’t been promoted."

"I haven’t found a job that matches my class and skill set, and I refuse to take a job that will make me suffer."

Aspiring entrepreneurs might say:

"I don’t have the funds to develop my business idea on the scale I want. Starting small doesn’t resonate with me."

Young women may feel:

"The right men aren't approaching me—men with class, means, and prestige. I’m looking for a finished product."

Young men also have their list:

"I want a wife who is an embodiment of elegance, wisdom, and grace—nothing less than Miss Africa."

And finally, there’s the national blame game:

"This country is failing. There are no good policies for business to thrive. The government doesn’t know what they’re doing, and I’d rather stay employed than risk entrepreneurship."

These are just a few examples from a myriad of excuses that represent a deeper battle: the conflict between our inertia and our belief systems.

Inertia vs. Belief Systems

Our belief systems are the philosophies, values, and reasoning we hold dear, while inertia is our tendency to remain on a fixed course unless a stronger belief compels us to change.

Inertia keeps us in familiar patterns—sometimes productive, sometimes stagnant. Yet, if we do not consistently revalidate the paths we are on, stagnation sets in, even if we perceive that we’re being productive. It's easy to continue blaming external factors, but the real contest is within. Are we resisting growth because of inertia, or are we testing our beliefs against higher truths?

For inertia to serve us well, it must undergo continual reevaluation. This validation should be based on values that have stood the test of time, especially those grounded in spiritual and supernatural truths from God.

Revalidation of Inertia

Let’s look at the examples more closely. If students claim their teacher was unfair in setting a test, yet one student excels and achieves top marks, it becomes clear that the issue isn't the test, but rather a failure to take personal responsibility. The real cause of poor performance might lie in the student's own lack of preparation, rather than the external circumstances.

In fact, I recall a case where students complained that test questions were not covered in class. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the answers were right there on page two of the textbook, which had been given to them weeks earlier. A simple review of their materials would have led to better results. The inertia here was the refusal to take responsibility for self-study.

Workers, too, must express their values beyond the prayer room or personal study. The workplace is another stage for showing integrity, diligence, and faith in action. Knowing God may happen in the quiet moments of prayer, but the evidence of that relationship is demonstrated everywhere we go, including the workplace.

Business and Belief Systems

Every business idea is divinely inspired. God, the source of all creativity, also provides the resources—both human and financial—needed to bring that idea to fruition. Yet, many remain stuck in their inertia, waiting for perfect conditions rather than starting small and trusting God to supply what’s needed. If God is the source of your business inspiration, He should also be your guide at every step, through continuous consultation and dependence on Him.

Love, Marriage, and Belief Systems

For those seeking spouses, it’s essential to realign your desires with God's values. The pursuit of superficial traits like class, wealth, or beauty can become an inertia that holds you back from receiving God’s best for you. Starve self-centered desires and seek God’s will first. When we align with Him, the gift of a godly spouse will come in His perfect timing.

The National Context

Finally, as citizens of heaven, we must view our earthly citizenship through a new lens. When you commit to being a child of God, you assume a different kind of citizenship—a heavenly one. This means we are ambassadors in whichever country we find ourselves. Understanding our role as ambassadors liberates us from being consumed by the political and governmental issues around us. Our true allegiance is to God and His kingdom, and this mindset frees us from the limitations imposed by earthly systems.

Conclusion

In all aspects of life, whether in education, work, relationships, or nation-building, the battle is not external—it is within. We must continuously revalidate our paths, ensuring that we are not stuck in unproductive inertia. When our belief systems are rooted in God’s eternal truths, they challenge our inertia and push us toward growth, productivity, and power.

To be continued...

Odusina Adewale

Hiworks Services Ltd

What i have observed about Work and the more excellent way

What i have observed about Work and the more excellent way

It's important to note that work is spiritual and every work is creating a spiritual credit or deficit. Every good work creates spiritual credits and every bad job is a spiritual deficit in the beneficiary's account. 

Having spiritual deficit is having pocket with holes; only what is earned legitimately stays in and all illegitimate earning leaves through the spiritual holes eventually. It is impossible to create legitimate legacy wealth with ill gotten riches and it's impossible NOT to create legacy wealth with legitimate work attitude; it may be delayed but can't be denied. 

I have seen hard working parents bequeath great wealth to their children that you can only be traced to the parent's Goodwill Spiritual Blessing.

I have also seen certain wealthy roots that could not be traced years after the parents were gone. It was like the riches grew wings and flew. 

I have seen wealthy families worn out by illnesses and it was like pockets with holes. 

Those are either deficit payouts or delays. However, spiritual delays is a matter of time and the understanding of the power of God.

All i have said are my reflections and i know i have the spirit of God. 

Work attitude and spiritual accrual of goodwill has opened doors for me since i have been on the work journey, particularly after secondary school and moreso now that i am providing business services; i an obligated by knowledge of this truth to always deliver more than money can pay for spiritual accrual is always in activation. 

Everyone must actually... Hiworks 

Mediocre or Exceptionalism Not Genetical But at your Mental Discretion

Mediocre or Exceptionalism Not Genetical But at your Mental Discretion

Note this first, being average or exception in performance comes down to a mental choice and not an heavenly gifting; you decide and take position with mediocre or exceptionalism.

Average performers are averagely tenacious when it comes to almost any task that they are assigned. 

However,exceptional performers exceed expectations in almost every task that is assigned to them, whether they are hired or are self hired; they are  more dependable, reliable and self improving.  

While exceptional students are typically passionate, transparent, and hardworking, average students tend to be intellectually sluggish. 

Exceptional performers are self motivated to self improve and have the propensity to invest in themselves to be at the top of their game

While mediocres are in self denial, always gratifying excuses for their mentality with such statements like 'I have no one', 'I have no money','My parents died when I was a baby','My parents have no money', 'My parents are divorced'

All the above are mental deception that can be easily replaced by the right mental disposition.

Examples abound around us as shown below:

Michael Jordan mesmerized people who saw him play basketball in NBA. He was cut from the varsity team in high school.It’s incredible to think the greatest basketball player of all time was cut by his high school coach and had to earn a spot back on the team.Michael Jordan had to do the work and overcome rejection.https://www.newtraderu.com/

Oprah Winfrey endured a childhood of poverty and abuse, which could have broken her spirit.Oprah Winfrey’s journey is truly a rags-to-riches tale.She shows that no matter where you start, you can end up at the top with communication and people skills.https://www.newtraderu.com/

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s journey is extraordinary, from a humble Austrian village to Hollywood stardom.

He dreamed of becoming a bodybuilder and actor, defied the odds, and moved to America. His breakout moment came when he won the Mr. Olympia title, becoming the youngest champion in history at 23. This victory helped him break into the film industry, where he starred in iconic movies such as “Conan the Barbarian” and “The Terminator.” Arnold’s success didn’t end there; he later became the Governor of California, proving that hard work and ambition can take you anywhere.https://www.newtraderu.com/

The difference between average people and excellent people is that the former are usually biased-minded and, in their pursuit of the easy way out, they find nothing interesting. This is because there is no easy route to success in life; one must find their passion, devote time and energy to it, and overcome all obstacles to succeed in it. Hiworks

My exposure to MBA 'Jagons' and What I now Know and Leveraging

My exposure to MBA 'Jagons' has helped me to see that a lot of our entrepreneurs are challenged by a myopia view of business growth, leverages, and scale opportunities.

Lots of banks were struggling 2 billion Naira capital base before the mergers of 2005 to meet up with the 25 billion Naira capital base from CBN. Obviously the big strong swallowed the less privileged. This may not be interesting to the ones being swallowed but the entire industry gained deeper public trust and confidence.

Mergers and acquisition or M&A for short can be for horizontal integration where the merging firms do similar business and the benefit is the enjoyment of lower cost of business from scaling. It can also be vertical integration where both are looking for complementary effort, synergy, and exploration of a new line of business to increase market share.

For instance, a combination of the Pepsi beverage division with Coca-Cola would be horizontal in character. Creating a new, larger company with a larger market share is the aim of a horizontal merger. Due to the possible similarity of the merging companies' business processes, there can be potential to combine some operations—like manufacturing—and cut costs. MBDA.gov

An example of a vertical merger would be an automaker partnering with a parts supplier. An arrangement like this would provide the car sector more control over the manufacturing process and better prices on parts. In turn, a consistent flow of business would be ensured for the components section. MBDA.gov

Let's bring all that to our local context in Nigeria.

A portable water factory may go vertical to acquire an industrial borehole location as against drilling a fresh one to boost production. A cold room industry may partner with a water production facility as against building one or a water production factory acquisition of a cold room.

In the construction industry, there is a massive need for the integration of different models to build a robust base for synergy and competence. 

Another vertical Integration example here; January 24, 2006, Burbank, CA; Emeryville, CA In keeping with its goal of producing exceptional creative content, The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) President and CEO Robert A. Iger announced today that Disney has decided to purchase Pixar (NASDAQ: PIXR), a leader in computer animation, in an all-stock deal that is anticipated to close by this summer. As per the deal, each Pixar share will be exchanged for 2.3 Disney shares. The deal is about $7.4 billion ($6.3 billion net of Pixar's slightly over $1 billion in cash) based on the company's fully diluted shares that are currently outstanding.  https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-to-acquire-pixar/  

Time ....our most important resource must always be negotiated

Time ....our most important resource must always be negotiated 

Any activity we are on without time reference is a waste of time; it is like going to the market and paying for goods what we feel is right without reference to the pricetag or carrying out any negotiation.

Time MUST be negotiated for every activity so that the most is done for every set time.

There is a saying that if one sleeps for 8 hours, it is the third of a lifetime (8/24).

Time must always be negotiated for every engagement to harness the most from every transaction in exchange for another value which could be a promotion, certifications, achievements, financial gain. an accreditation, and such and such.

Everyone has an equal share of time every day and the choice of use is totally discretionary.

The propensity to do poorly with personal time negotiation is very high for everyone and it will take a strong vision and zest to continually win in the negotiations.

It is even more challenging in our time to poorly mentally negotiate time favourably because of so many easy choices of many distractions 24 hours tv, social media, sleeping time with air conditioner, past success, past failures, economic quagmires, policies of government and various other issues that have come to define human experiences.

Our pursuit of excellence and high quality of life must overwhelm all distractions so that we are mentally set to always negotiate the use of time efficiently and effectively.

Effective means "producing a result that is wanted". Efficient means "capable of producing desired results without wasting materials, time, or energy". https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/eb/qa/How-to-Use-Effective-and-Efficient

The other dimension to time management is the multiplying effect of accumulated time from team and organisations engaged on certain task.

When you invest into other people's time in an employment or a contract, there is a multiplying effect and benefits.

It is not possible to harness more than the investment one has put in a bounded time.

How to increase the time value daily?

Everyone of us have 24hours and probably 10hours daily for productive tasks that may me traded for other values like monetary gain. When one employs 10 people daily towards achieving certain task, what such persons have done is increase their daily time value from 10hours to 10hours time 10, which becomes 100hours daily.

The income potential on the 100hours daily is relatively 100 times or more for such that have invested this way and this is the benefit of being an employer of labour.

For emphasis any activity we are on without time reference is a waste of time and we must give time the needed acknowledgment as the most valuable resource. Hiworks 

Strengthening The Cultural Heritage- Leveraging The Power of Retrospect

Strengthening The Cultural Heritage- Leveraging The Power of Retrospect

The prefix retro- means “back," and spect is a component of the words inspect, spectator, spectacles, and perspective, among others, which all have to do with looking or seeing. So it makes sense that retrospect means to look back in time or to remember.

Retrospect - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms - Vocabulary.com

I just gave in to my MBA.               65⁵Ccccccçxxxccccxxxc

Retrospect is a powerful tool for drawing ene²s22²²222bb2b2b2b2bbb2b22r2b22222r222r²r2²22222²²2222222222222222222222222222222222222222bbbbbbɓb2be11111111111111111111b111r1111111b11bbbbb1b111bbbb1b1111b11reb11r11111111¹11¹¹11eee1¹1ffg1f1¹¹1zzz1¹¹gg1g1¹¹11¹g1¹ĝgggggggggggggggggggggggrgy from some past experiences or from stories or from the news or from history or mentors, to fuel transformation or work for a better future.

However, this powerful tool is fast becoming unpopular and no thanks to the invasion of social media.

It's becoming more and more convincing that social media has its ultimate agenda; to de-emphasize African Culture and push Western ideologies.

We have also helped the agenda by buying into the pay-tv culture and our children have been drawn away from everything African to embrace everything Western and to be exact, everything American.

Ask your wards if they know a program called "Tales By Moonlight" or Shows like “Speak Out” and “Storyline,” which aired on Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), taught essential life skills to children via stories.

These programs drew from retrospect and built subconsciously and shaped our love for traditional values of family ties, family loyalty, respect for seniors and elders, and collaborative efforts in family members’ economic development.

We have almost completely lost our collectivist ideologies and fast embracing the American individualistic ways of life, which is responsible for their high level of victims of loneliness and depression.

I am also guilty or shall I say, I am a victim of embracing the American ways to the point, I do not think any more in my local dialect.

I am a victim because, even though i grew up in the village, I had embraced the American ways as far back as 1978, with so much access to the TV when i was seven, watching King Kong Cartoon, Big Foot & Wise Boy, Charlie’s Angel, Hawaii 5'o, The Invisible man and many others. And in music, the likes of Michael Jackson were my favorites; everything local TV contents were secondary or watched because other viewers in the family prevailed on the choice of what to watch. But i still had the floor from 10 pm till when all the stations signed off at midnight, switching from one movie to another; all American or European. I had clearly preferred their ways to the ways of the village to the point, i could not proficiently speak my dialect then and even now.

I grew up having more American (individualistic culture) than that of a typical traditional Yoruba man and still having difficulty selling my Yoruba values to my children.

I am very sure that if i had my ways in the 90s, i would have relocated and found more alignment in the American environment and chances are that i may never return, which is true of many that fell victim to my era.

The American cultural invasion agents; subtly and powerfully altogether, sold their history and values to my generation so well that our parents did not see them coming.

We need to salvage what is left of our children being sold the Western ways and make a deliberate effort to teach them our traditional values of family ties and loyalty.

Deliberately, go on a retrospective journey with the children or find people who can; tell our own stories. Catch fun speaking your dialect with them and pay less attention to the flaws, knowing proficiency comes with continual practice.

Find on YouTube, documentaries of our rich culture and get them to watch with you.

Many of our children, may never return to their root countries, not because of economic issues but because there is no traditional tie.

Family Ties strengthen Cultural Legacy; once we lose the tie, we lose the hold of culture. We must strengthen our resolve to build family ties, take measures that focus on cultural awareness, and use the power of retrospect to forge ahead.

Government must see this as a nationwide crisis; cultural erosion across the nation through the media and create policies that will strengthen cultural awareness.

To be continued...Hiworks

The Dynamics of Winning War in Every Battle

Every War is ideological, a cause to an end and every battle is a mission and a struggle to prosecute the war, to defend the ideology, that may be perceived reasonable or senseless by the majority of people or nations.

War is not a show of physical strength but ideological strength. Battle is one of those means to achieving the war and does not have to be some combat or physical escapades.Battles may also find expression through authoritarianism.

War may be lost even when a battle is won and war may be won when the battle is lost.

The war must be at the centre of focus for strategic planning, and the battle must be evaluated as a measure of the success of the ideology.

This is why in war, negotiation doors are open for all the parties to seek redress away from the confrontations or combats and in many cases, wars are won on those tables irrespective of who is better equipped for the battle. 

Divorce is the outcome of failure of war fought for marital success, and it is widely prosecuted on unreconcilable differences.Most times, those are the differences we vowed to continually reconcile and the couple must be willing to win and also loose many battles to win the marital war. Winning and losing must be anticipated by Husbands and wives for the marriage to work. I know this is scratching the surface of that discussion. 

Unruly children are most times the result of failure of war fought for parental success, but n some exceptional cases, there was no war at all, as children were allowed to grow their prodigality uncharted and unregulated.

When we allow or raise children from infant to teenagers to have everything they want because we want to pressure them and not hurt them, it is prodigals and rebels that will evolve. 

Uncharted and unregulated children will become rebels, except God decides to handle the matter

, especially in very rare cases. Such children will never be grateful to such regrettable parenting.

Parenting is the process of charting and regulating the course children must follow because, as a parent with the blessing of hindsight, you are expected to know how to lead your wards through the journey to adulthood

The WAR is to help the children become responsible adults, and the battle is to enforce the stringent rules along the charted part with all the associated pains of leadership. Hiworks

WHAT SUCCESS IS NOT PART 1

WHAT SUCCESS IS NOT 1

 Success is not ......when you see or live to see your goal  succeed. Success is not a destination but a Spirited Victorious attitude.

 Success is winning ways finding expression.

 It is a never giving up attitude on a course one has found to be worth living for, irrespective of numerous failures and oppositions within and without. 

Success  makes heroes of them who never lived to see their dream, having failed many times or retired by aging and health realities or silenced by opposition  but such lit unquenchable fire of desire for the course such believed on for others to run with until THE DREAM IS THE REALITY. 

Every American that died for the liberation of the blacks before and after Martin Luther King Jn are as much heroes  as Martin Luther King Jn even though never lived to see Barrack Obama as the first Black African American  President.

 Nelson Mandela is as much a hero as every South Africans that died during the struggle. When corporate bodies are starting out they put up a mission statement and a vision statement....to be a successful....... and everyday engagement is an investment into that call upon everyone in such corporation.

 It is very possible that the founder may never live to see the mission statement realized but as long as every day input is in that course, philosophically,  the founder is a success.

 Eventually, when the goal is realized, sustainability is also on the winning ways. 

What defines a successful person is not how many times he succeeded, but his Endless Disposition to continue to Risk the Possibility of Failure, in his Quest to Succeed. 

Success believes all things are possible. 

Success is a state of the mind that inspires one to go on and try again and again no matter how many times one has failed. 

Success is not a destination but a Spirited Victorious attitude. 

Success  not a chance Opportunity. 

Success is not luck.

 Success is not money. Money is a derivative of success. 

Success is not genetic 

Success is not a given 

Success is not evil 

Success is not to be feared 

Success is not fate 

Success is not synonimous with estate or acquisition 

Success is not Accidental 

Success is not Abusive 

Success is not a destination

 Success is not proud 

Auccess is not envious 

Success is not over bearing 

Success is not oppressive 

Success is not a position 

Success is not education 

Success is not knowledge

 Success is not wisdom

 Success is not understanding 

Success is not selfish 

Success is not political power

 Success is not in competition 

Success is not afraid of failure 

Success is not favourable to gender or marital status 

Success is not externally influenced by weather, economic prevalence, government policies etc 

Success is not favorable to family history Success is not stagnant

 Success is not disorderly 

Again, this is Success

Success believes all things are possible. 

Success is a state of the mind that inspires one to go on and try again and again no matter how many times one has failed. 

Success is a Spirited Victorious attitude. 

From Odusina Adewale Hiworks

MY HEALING STORY BY LEKE ALDER

 

Hebrews 11:6 KJV: B

https://biblehub.com › kjv › hebrews

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  

I read this inspiring testimony of one of Nigeria's finest in the Creative Intelligence landscape. 

Leke Alder is the Founder & Principal of Alder Consulting, Nigeria's premier creative intelligence organisation, with offices in Lagos and London.

                   MY HEALING STORY BY LEKE ALDER

I had always wanted to be a lawyer, since the age of ten. I don’t understand the mechanics of how children are stirred in a vocational direction, but for me the inspiration was a legal drama series on TV. It was called The Main Chance. The lead character, David Main made me want to study law. He was played by John Stride. He was absolutely brilliant in and out of court. David Main had certain qualities that appealed to my sense of self, even as a kid – he was erudite, confident and urbane. Such brilliance! And he had a beautiful girlfriend. I did all I could to achieve that dream and eleven years later I was holding my law certificate in my hand. Strategic objective accomplished. Now, for the rest of my life.

In Nigeria it’s mandatory for graduates to do a one-year stint of national service. For this I was posted to a state in northern Nigeria called Bauchi. It’s 1,142.5km by road from Lagos, my home base. Those who participate in the one-year compulsory programme are called “corpers.” The full name of the programme is National Youth Service Corp. (NYSC). Bauchi is quite an interesting climatic case study. In some parts of the state the weather is so erratic it could be diagnosed as schizophrenic. The mystery of the weather was compounded for me by the names of certain local government areas where the weather was interesting. Some of these areas had multi-syllabic names with percussionist resonance – places like Tangale-Waja (now in Gombe state). Billiri (also now in Gombe state) was particularly atmospherically temperamental. One minute it’s raining – a fake rain I might add, and the next there’s a haze of harmattan, quickly followed by the blight of the sun’s anger. The weather could never make up her mind about her climatic alignment – whether to the desert to the north, or to the cold Jos plateau to the south. Jos has a European weather. It was favoured by the colonialists. When it’s cold in Jos you wear winter jacket. There’s ice rain in Jos. But Bauchi the capital of Bauchi State can be cold too. And it can also be hot, very hot. Corpers were known to bring out their mattresses, pour a bucket of water and then lay to sleep, at midnight hour. The saga I’m about to share with you began on a cold “winter” morning in Bauchi.

I had gone to bed the night before, like any other corper. I shared a flat with my friends as we tried to sort out our posting. I desired a law firm. I woke up that morning with a funny lack of sensation on my face. I couldn’t really feel my face. It seemed half my face was frozen. Somewhere in my head I deduced I must have placed that part of my face for too long on the bed and the Bauchi weather working in partnership with the moisture trapped in my mattress had frozen my face. I remember calling out to my flatmates to tell them my face was frozen. Bauchi weather was a permanent topic of discussion among us. What Trump is to CNN, Bauchi weather was to us. We all laughed at my observation. I picked up a mirror and began to rub the frozen side of my face, the left side. After about ten minutes of rubbing there was no thaw as I expected and I became worried. I took a cab to the general hospital to see a doctor. It was she who diagnosed my ailment. I had Bell’s palsy. There is no known cause of Bell’s palsy and there’s no known cure. The best she could do was give me steroids. If within 24hrs there was no improvement to my face I had a major problem. Some people recover in that period she said. Bottom line, I had facial paralysis. And after 24hrs there was no recovery. I was in trouble.

Let me tell you how bad it was. You could plot Pythagorean Theorem on my face when I sought to speak. My mouth formed an uncanny triangle, the hypotenuse stretching to the good side of my face. That was because half of my face could open to talk but the other half held tight, thereby creating a forced triangulation. Because of that my speech was gabbled. I spoke in some form of advanced tongues, my speech close to that of R2D2 in Star Wars. Right before my eyes my dream evaporated. Which advocate can’t make a speech in court? That’s a horrible realisation for a 21yr old. 

I transferred my service to Lagos in order to avail myself of better medical attention. I needed facial therapy. Without it my muscles would atrophy. I also needed electrical stimulation for my facial nerve. Turned out one tiny nerve which swung above her weight was dead. Unfortunately the nerve controlled a lot of muscles on my face. That nerve in effect controlled my ability to smile, ability to laugh, ability to express myself, and even my ability to look normal. One tiny nerve! It was hoped electrical stimulation would bring it back to life. Think of a nerve version of defibrillator for heart attacks. It was this illness that gave me an inkling into the complex mechanism of a simple smile. My left eyelid was also affected. To sleep at night I had to manually pull down my lid the way morticians shut the eyes of the dead. Death was all around me – death of my nerve, death of my smile, death of my dreams. It is hard to imagine the agony of my parents at this time. My dad soon began to crack. I saw my father cry. He became open to any offer for help. There was no shortage of offers to help – from spiritual charlatans, spiritist speculators, to midnight patronisers of juju and Ifa priests. The disease was deemed a “spiritual attack.” A lot of pressure was mounted on me to acquiesce to those offers of spiritual consultancy but I resisted. I told my dad that if the Jesus that I serve couldn’t deliver me so be it. I wasn’t going to countenance extracurricular spiritual resources outside my Christian faith.

I had medical student friends in Lagos. My best friend was a doctor in training. That gave me access to medical books. I took it upon myself to study the disease from those books. What I read was not the least encouraging. I had missed the window of recovery. The only resort I had was my faith therefore. But that presented a major challenge. No twenty-one year old envisages facial paralysis. How do you raise a dead nerve?

My physical therapy duly began but over time the electrical stimulation became painful. The currents were stinging. It seemed my face had exhausted her patience with being tortured. But I had one or two Christian resources. There was a faith preacher in the US called Kenneth Hagin Snr. He’s gone to be with the Lord now, but I wrote him about my predicament. Kenneth Hagin Snr. wrote back and greatly encouraged me to stand on the word of God. And he sent me a 4in by 3in white prayer cloth he had prayed over to use as a “point of contact” for my faith. That white cloth was reminiscent of the handkerchiefs laid on Paul’s body which were then laid on the sick. The sick were cured. Acts 19:11-12. I also wrote Oral Roberts. He was a healing evangelist. He replied my mail, gave me scriptures to meditate on. Sent me one or two books. The central pillar of Kenneth Hagin’s teaching was Mark 11:23-24 – ‘Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, if someone says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:22-24 NET. ‬‬

I saw the possibilities of faith in that passage. I was reminded by both preachers of the immortal words of Prophet Isaiah – that Jesus bore our infirmities and by the stripes produced by the whip lashes of the Roman soldiers we are healed. Isaiah 53:5. Apostle Peter would echo same sentiments. He affirmed the analytical observation of Isaiah in the past tense. We WERE healed, he said. 1 Peter 2:24. Which meant my healing was accomplished 2,000yrs ago. Faith can create correspondence between the past and the present.‬

I began to study healing from the Bible. As I studied I came across a most interesting piece of scripture: “And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.” Mark 2:3 KJV. Jesus healed the guy. Well, my disease was Bell’s palsy. To my mind Jesus was experienced with palsy. It didn’t matter if it was Bell’s palsy or any other palsy. Palsy is palsy. Since Jesus is unchanging in essence and character I figured he could take care of my palsy as well, just as he did for that man 2,000 years ago. He is the same yesterday, today and forever isn’t he? Hebrews 13:8.

But what really blew it open for me was another verse of scripture. Remember I needed a solution to that dead nerve. I came across these wonderful words by that inimitable troublemaker, Apostle Paul: “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” Romans 8:11 KJV. Well, since the Spirit of God dwelt in me he had to wake up that dead nerve, simple!

But one month of believing and confessing the word of God, nothing happened. Nothing changed. Two months nothing changed. Three, four, five months, nothing changed. Some began to taunt my faith. BUT IN THE SIXTH MONTH I began to feel a twitch on my face, like tiny pulses. Think of a tiny worm trying to dance disco. My dead nerve was coming alive! My facial muscles soon began to mimic those twitches. There were spasms from tiny tremors. The spasms grew, spreading from under my left ear to my jaw, and then upwards, like it was burrowing under my skin. A few weeks after I recovered feelings to my eyelid. I no longer needed to manually shut my eyelids at night. And soon after speech came. At first it sounded poor but it gradually improved. I am eloquent now. And my healing continues. My face is a living diary.

This whole experience is significant on three levels. One, faith works. Two, the Bible is true. Three, Jesus heals. Sometimes we struggle with faith. Sometimes we have doubt, even about the very existence of God. The rationalist of course seeks to adduce logic God is a figment of man’s imagination. He says the Bible is a myth. But the rationalist can’t argue with my experience. That will be presumptuous and contemptuous of him. I have my healing as proof. And I have so many episodes of God’s intervention in the interesting journey called my life. For me to deny the existence of God I would have to radically edit my history.

Perhaps you have an ailment that defies medical logic. Who knows if my story will inspire your faith. What do you lose by believing God’s word? 

If you’ll like to receive Jesus as Saviour, please pray this prayer: “Father I acknowledge that I am a sinner, that Jesus died for me, that you raised him from the dead. Father please forgive me. I accept Jesus today as my Lord and my Saviour. Amen.” 

To read My Healing Story go to www.myilluminare.com/my-healing-story/.  

To read and download FREE copies of Understanding Tithing (Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4), please go to www.myilluminare.com/. 

To read my new book on the science of Genesis, order or subscribe for The Genesis Project at www.genesisprojectonline.com. 

© Leke Alder | talk2me@lekealder.com.