Self Improvement Tips For Optimum Performance » Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com Self Improvement for Busy People Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:21:25 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Celebrate your uniqueness http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/celebrate-your-uniqueness/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/celebrate-your-uniqueness/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:14:41 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/celebrate-your-uniqueness/ I have got a dream- I look forward to the day when nations will celebrate the uniqueness of all its citizens, by setting aside a day for the celebration of “Unique Citizens.”
I am beginning to realise that humans are wired for success in all that they do but they need to be informed on how to achieve it. Could this lack of information explain the high failure rate that we experience in our lives and in organisations? I have a personal view on this and I am open to hearing the views of others.

I think the main issue is that we have not learnt how to accept and celebrate our uniqueness. When we accept that we are not like everybody else, it becomes easier to engage in learning how to be successful.
The principles that lead to success are widely available but not recognised by most of us. In this article, I will be looking at one of these principles and I hope to continue developing this idea in future articles.
Let’s start the discussion with a bit of humour. If an acorn seed is to be successfully planted, it needs to recognise its unique qualities and avoid comparing itself to other seeds. I think the acorn seed will not say, “I think I would rather be a more exotic seed. I have the feeling that my trees will be better if they were grown from other seeds.”
Amazingly, a lot of us do this in our personal journey in self improvement. We spend our time trying to be the bloke that comes across as being exceptionally successful, rather than concentrating on our uniqueness.
You are special and unique. As you choose to cherish your uniqueness, you are providing yourself the greatest motivation for growth and improvement.

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/celebrate-your-uniqueness/feed/ 0 Common Sense Approach to Self Improvement http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/common-sense-approach-to-self-improvement/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/common-sense-approach-to-self-improvement/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:50:43 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/common-sense-approach-to-self-improvement/ What has intuition got to do with the use of common sense? I think it is part of the widely available strategies that could easily be discarded. I am not advocating the use of intuition without the support of thinking about the facts that could be gained intuitively.
Let’s think about it, you know more than you think and some of these resources are not available to you except you are willing to dare to walk through the darkness with your intuitive skills. Have you ever felt that feeling of “I just know it, but I do not know how?” Let me show you how to use this tool by relating my own personal experience. I had the feeling that I might enjoy writing for the pleasure of my readers intuitively but I had no evidence of this. In recent past, I discovered that I enjoyed writing early in the morning as a way of preparing for the day. This might seem to be a very unusual way of showing my passion for writing. Slowly, I began to notice my interest in the way words affect me and my readers. I think, I might be a writer!!!! Can you see how intuition and the evidence based on my experience worked to together to reveal something that I am good at, which I could do fairly effortlessly to give satisfaction to my readers. Which area of your personal development might benefit from the use your intuition? When you discover these areas, try the tool above. You might like it?
When you have proved the benefit of this tool, you can then set out to navigate through a project that you have chosen, to achieve specific goals. The use of intuition adds greatly to your evaluation and decision making process. Recently I set about developing my ability to control a project. When I started, I specified some sub goals but I did not have a detailed list of the activities needed. I had to depend on the data collected based on experience and intuition. While making my journey to the goals, I needed to make some decisions and changes. I did not have enough time to collect data to validate every decision made but I had the benefit of using intuition. The more you use intuition in the decision making process the better the tool becomes.
Intuition can be used as a planning, evaluation and analysis tool. Do not forget, this tool existed before the advent of sophisticated computer software and elaborate psychological tools.
Enjoy your journey in self development and growth.
Common Sense Approach to Self Improvement
What has intuition got to do with the use of common sense? I think it is part of the widely available strategies that could easily be discarded. I am not advocating the use of intuition without the support of thinking about the facts that could be gained intuitively.
Let’s think about it, you know more than you think and some of these resources are not available to you except you are willing to dare to walk through the darkness with your intuitive skills. Have you ever felt that feeling of “I just know it, but I do not know how?” Let me show you how to use this tool by relating my own personal experience. I had the feeling that I might enjoy writing for the pleasure of my readers intuitively but I had no evidence of this. In recent past, I discovered that I enjoyed writing early in the morning as a way of preparing for the day. This might seem to be a very unusual way of showing my passion for writing. Slowly, I began to notice my interest in the way words affect me and my readers. I think, I might be a writer!!!! Can you see how intuition and the evidence based on my experience worked to together to reveal something that I am good at, which I could do fairly effortlessly to give satisfaction to my readers. Which area of your personal development might benefit from the use your intuition? When you discover these areas, try the tool above. You might like it?
When you have proved the benefit of this tool, you can then set out to navigate through a project that you have chosen, to achieve specific goals. The use of intuition adds greatly to your evaluation and decision making process. Recently I set about developing my ability to control a project. When I started, I specified some sub goals but I did not have a detailed list of the activities needed. I had to depend on the data collected based on experience and intuition. While making my journey to the goals, I needed to make some decisions and changes. I did not have enough time to collect data to validate every decision made but I had the benefit of using intuition. The more you use intuition in the decision making process the better the tool becomes.
Intuition can be used as a planning, evaluation and analysis tool. Do not forget, this tool existed before the advent of sophisticated computer software and elaborate psychological tools.
Enjoy your journey in self development and growth.

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/common-sense-approach-to-self-improvement/feed/ 3 Check out the Facts http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/check-out-the-facts/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/check-out-the-facts/#comments Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:33:31 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/check-out-the-facts/ Have you got the incredible ability to read people’s character accurately and avoid the danger of trusting people that might harm you? If you know you do not have this skill, there is hope. Being able to respond appropriately to people based on the facts that you have comes with experience.
You need to develop a willingness to trust the evidence that you can collect with your senses. I think one the problems that most of us have is the fact that we do not trust what we can see, feel or hear. If a friend has failed to turn up for six different appointments, do you think you should give your beloved pet to him while going on holiday? Most of my readers are likely to make the correct decision- give your pet to somebody more trustworthy. Look at the evidence-that’s what clever people do. When you have collected the evidence, think of what the facts are telling you. Listen to the counsel that is abundant in your environment. What is the benefit of falling into a ditch and breaking your legs, when responding to the local news about the ditch will prevent the accident?

If the information collected requires you to identify and categorise some of the facts, do it willingly. Indeed, I will suggest you do it with enthusiasm. The classifications of the issues will help the task of finding alternative solutions to the problems highlighted. This stage in the use of the information collected lends itself to creativity. Explore and try different solutions. Some might work while others might serve to reveal their unsuitability.
Let’s look at case of Laura. She started a job with a reputable organisation about ten years ago. She was by passed for promotion and faced continual critical judgements. She refused to respond to the evidence that she had overstayed her welcome in the organisation. She kept holding on and finally she was so stressed that she had to take months off work. The incidents revealed the dangers in her environment.
I am very sure most of my readers will be quick at making comments about Laura’s bad judgement- don’t be too hasty. How many Laura’s have we got out there?
Enjoy the journey in self development.

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/check-out-the-facts/feed/ 2 Deal with Tension Within http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/deal-with-tension-within/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/deal-with-tension-within/#comments Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:49:16 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/?p=23 Most of us spend a lot of our time and energy on negotiating our way through relationship issues and sometimes ignore the tension within us. If you have fallen for this dilemma, it is time to take a step sideways. The issues inside you have the tendency of derailing all the efforts that you are putting into your relationships.
When the feelings within you have indicated the causes of tension in individuals or in a group, it is time to think of ways of addressing the issues identified.
Ignoring this vital information could lead to serious consequences………….

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/deal-with-tension-within/feed/ 74 Successful Surfers Learn To Catch the Waves http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/successful-surfers-learn-to-catch-the-waves/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/successful-surfers-learn-to-catch-the-waves/#comments Sat, 22 Jan 2011 07:23:24 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/successful-surfers-learn-to-catch-the-waves/ When you are about to hit the jackpot, there is usually a period of intense searching and asking  questions. It is as if nature says, the treasure that you are about to receive requires you to give time and energy to get it. I hope this article will be one of those tools that would make you into a successful surfer in the journey of self improvement and development.
The tension created by the desire to find answers and change in circumstances is usually like the waves to a surfer. I think that the surfer needs to learn the act of surfing in order to make the best use of the waves as they appear. It is wise to avoid perceiving the discomfort that you feel as indicators of your unworthiness, the likelihood that you would never make it or that the task is impossible.
How many of those giving up pills have you taken recently? Do you think it was a wise decision? How many more of these chances for growth and development are you going to walk away from because you are unwilling to pay the price?
I will like to share an alternative attitude that I think will change your life forever. What about accepting pain as a fair price to pay for success. I think if you do this, you will acknowledge the pain but persist in finding the answers that will bring growth and advancement in all areas of your life.
I am slowly coming to terms with this fact- people who walk away from challenges usually do not ask questions that will lead them into searching for answers; search and find alternative solutions; act on some of the strategies found during the search; and sustain growth and development by repeating the above process.
Life seems to be waiting to give success to those who are willing to pay the price. I think you would benefit from learning how to catch the opportunities for self development contained in your challenges by riding the waves.
Firstly, allow yourself to be reconciled to the last failure that you experienced. You might be wondering why this is an important part of the journey. When you learn from an experience rather than stewing on the impact of the failure, you release yourself to learn as much as you can from your current situation. Allowing yourself to be saddled with the weight of guilt, fear and anxiety associated with previous failures will distract; reduce motivation; intensify hurt and might cause you to give up.
Secondly, choose an easy challenge if this is your first attempt as surfing the waves of your challenges.
Thirdly, pick the right challenge. For example you may have done badly in a recent examination and you are facing a tirade of criticism from your friends, colleagues and yourself.  I think you need to change your attitude to your performance in the examination.
Fourthly, begin to ask questions, search for answers, decide on actions, try out some of the solutions chosen and reward yourself for engaging on the journey.
Finally, continue to take action and be confident and assured that such engagement in the challenges of life produces growth and development.
Enjoy your journey in sustainable advancement and growth.

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/successful-surfers-learn-to-catch-the-waves/feed/ 69 Handling Challenging Situations with Integrity http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situaions-with-integrity/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situaions-with-integrity/#comments Sat, 15 Jan 2011 07:02:47 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situaions-with-integrity/ Integrity is a very important tool as we seek to live lives that are not limited by our circumstances and committed to using our challenges as tools for growth and development. It is important that you learn to be true to yourself. There are different definitions of the word ‘integrity’- adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty; the state of being whole, entire, or undiminished; a sound, unimpaired, or perfect condition.
It is important that we deal with our thoughts, feelings and environment with integrity.

Have you found yourself in a mess because of your lack of integrity? Is there an area of your life that has caused you a lot of pain and discomfort over a period of time? Your feelings, thoughts and other information sources were telling you that things are not alright in this area and that you needed to do something to repair the damage that was being done. It is unhelpful to ignore your feelings and a call to action, to take you to a safer place.  Avoid the danger of treating yourself as if you do not deserve to be heard. You deserve to be taken seriously and helped to get what you really need to be happy.
This lack of integrity will consequently lead to a bigger problem than you anticipate. Do you know how you feel when it looks and feels like this is the end of the road; you will get to a point where you begin to feel that you cannot take anymore? That’s alright, but there is a way out. You need to choose to adopt the perspective that there is a pathway to self improvement and growth in this storm. You simply need to find the necessary action that will promote the reaction that you need to take you to a safe place again. If you have ignored the insight in this article and you are now paying the price for that unhelpful strategy, there is a way out. Retrace your steps and begin again.
Firstly, go back to listening to your feelings? How are you feeling today? Avoid trying to make yourself better by choosing to cover up your true feelings. Remember that the true feeling will determine what happens next. When you do that, the action you take will not be sufficient to change your situation and bring you into a better place. I mean listen to your true feelings. Avoid, being persuaded to create a feeling of utopia based on what your friends are telling you. Have you noticed how your friends in an attempt to make you feel better quickly tell you the things that they really think you should hear? They have good intentions but that is not going to change your reality the way that you want.
Secondly, collect information about your thoughts. What are your thoughts? Do you think your thoughts are a call for help? If this is the case, you need to begin to find the help that you really need. Not the help that your friends think you need but what you really need. Your thoughts whether negative or positive are sources of invaluable information.
Thirdly, collect information about the situation from other sources. It is important that you collect these and act on them. Resist the likelihood of choosing to change the data because you want to feel good. When you adopt this strategy, it is like storing up trouble for tomorrow. Your intention is to create a better tomorrow for yourself y using all the information available to map the way forward.
Remind yourself of the opportunity for growth that this situation that you are facing currently offers you. Write down you list of benefits. Do not rush over this process because it will become the anchor that keeps you stable as you navigate the storm. The journey to make the challenge a success story will take you to lots of places- some will be painful and you will be tempted to give up. Anytime you feel like giving up, read your list again. Giving up creates a giant monster of guilt and an increase in the sense of failure.
Check your beliefs and allow these to shape your perspective. Act with integrity.
Enjoy your journey in self improvement and development.

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situaions-with-integrity/feed/ 112 Handling Challenging Situations : Create and Share Stories http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situations-create-and-share-stories3/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situations-create-and-share-stories3/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:31:48 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situations-create-and-share-stories3/ I struck gold today as I listened to the story of how one of my friends faced a challenging situation through listening and creating stories. When I met her for the first time, I did not realise how much the power of stories will shape our relationship. We decided we would meet fortnightly to chat about different topics.
The act of storytelling is a formidable tool for learning how to deal with challenging situations. Stories tell you different ways of dealing with issues; reveal the consequences of wrong approach to challenges; the benefits of creating a story that supports your personal development; the risk of not taking control of your own interests; the opportunities contained in each challenge and the limitless nature of the capacity of individuals to shape their own self-development. Unfortunately, we seem to drift away from the natural use of storytelling as a tool for developing a vast repertoire of strategies for success in the face of diverse challenges. I am suggesting that we need to renew and rekindle out interest in stories. I think it is one of the safest and most effective ways to grow and make progress in all areas of personal development.
I am slowly earning that the stories are more powerful if they have a face and name to them. For many years, I did not realise how important it was to take personal control of my career until I met with a friend who was keen to share how taking control of her career has proved significant to her career progress. She insisted that there are no alternatives to individual taking control of their own career. Now, I can understand why she has continued to make progress in the direction that she chooses. Wow! Somebody has to be in control, if you are not, who is?
I think one of the reasons why this story shaped my thinking ad encouraged me to take control of my career is that I have lived in the world of no control hat leads to the growth in the feeling of helplessness; apathy; discouragement and anxiety. F you do not want these feelings, begin to take control. Decide on where you want to be and arrange how to get there. When you find that you lack the motivation to persevere in getting to the destination that you have decided, check the destination again. Is it really, what you want? If it is, you will not need anything but the desire to achieve the goal to keep you on the task.
Do not forget to share your stories with others because it will provide the vital insight required for them to achieve their goals and for you to continue to live the life of your dream.
Enjoy your journey in personal development.

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situations-create-and-share-stories3/feed/ 61 Handling Challenging Situations: Being with likeminded people http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situations-2/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situations-2/#comments Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:39:21 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situations-2/ Thanks to the blogger who marked this article as interesting and expressed a desire to continue to follow this topic in the future. That expression of desire compelled me to start writing another article under the same heading. What shall I say! It has been an eventful journey for me and I am sure you have your own story to tell too. There is a great power is sharing our stories because they become like the light from a lighthouse, showing the direction and sometimes revealing the dangers in the path ahead. I wonder what this article will do in your life, but I must tell l you that I am expecting to progress on my journey of self-improvement and growth as I write.
The act of facing challenging situations is an important part of living. Most of us would prefer to ignore this fact. The danger with this attitude is that challenges are not prepared for. We are likely to make decisions that prove unhelpful. One of the tools that I have found very helpful is surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals that become an integral part of your journey.
Let me tell you a story to reveal the importance of this strategy – The Managing Director of a company was thinking of ways of improving on the quality of services provided by his company. The Marketing Director was a key figure in his strategic plan but the Managing Director knew that for the strategy to work, he needed the contribution of all the employees. He called a meeting and invited all the employees to give their own insight on the way ahead. There was a wise man sitting close to the door, as the guests arrived. He felt that an unusual member of the company was indeed carrying the greatest idea for the future growth of the company. Consequently, he informed the Managing Director and suggested that this process should run its course. You could sense the rumble of disquiet in the room by some of the participants, because they felt they were wasting time and that the delay would be very costly. After careful deliberation with some members of the strategic planning team, the Managing Director chose to focus on the painstaking collection of information about the way ahead. The process continued to unfold while the Director kept a vigilant eye on the process. A soft speaking participant raised a point, that seemed to take the discussion to a new level, each time it seemed the whole process was about to stall. At the end, the company made some changes that resulted in the company achieving its goal within a shorter time scale than anticipated.
You might be thinking you are not a company, so what does this story have to say to you….. I want to suggest that managing your personal development is like running a company. The strategies that are successful in a business context are likely to be successful in your personal life. Ensure that likeminded individuals that will support you and facilitate your self-development surround you. Make sure that the person you choose to allow into this programme of self-development is credible and reliable.
The fact that you need the contribution of others in the process of personal growth is an accepted fact  but choosing who the right person for you might be is a trickier affair. I cannot claim that I know all the answers to the selection process but I might be able to give you some of the benefits of my experience. I think one of the key to recognising the right person for you is a careful appraisal of the character of the individuals that you are thinking of involving in your journey. Think carefully about what you know about this person. Allowing the wrong person into your private space of developing competency in handling challenging situations is like inviting danger and facing the likelihood of being hurt.
I am convinced that learning the tools for dealing successfully with challenging situations is a team sport. I think being aware of the contribution of all the people that you meet is healthy and beneficial.
Enjoy your journey in self-development.

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/handling-challenging-situations-2/feed/ 65 Self Improvement through Active Participation http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/being-an-active-participant/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/being-an-active-participant/#comments Wed, 24 Nov 2010 14:44:05 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/being-an-active-participant/ Have you ever felt that you spend a lot of the time watching others as they perform the intricate dance routine while you are left with the feeling of not being good enough? Welcome to the club that I would like to name “Potential unlimited club.” Well this club is full of individuals who unknowingly are left without the necessary strategy that would change them from being ‘gazers’ into active participants in writing their own script in history. The script might not be read by most of the people in your neighbourhood but you, surely, will not miss the message, because you are living it.

For many years I have felt that I did not have much to say to the world that would shape the lives of others and make them able to live the life of their dreams. But something happened to change all that. A friend offered to set up a blog page for me. So I started blogging. Although I still have those feelings of not having much to say, but I have the renewal of my enthusiasm as I read the comment of those that have read some of my articles. One of the tools that enable you to be an active doer and so influencer of the lives of others is to listen carefully to the compliments that otherts give to you. You might not live in an environment where such compliments are abundant, so I would share another effective tool. Learn to give yourself compliments for all the baby steps that you make towards your goal.

Although giving and receiving compliments enables you to be active and impactful in all that you do, I think that learning to handle setbacks is another critical tool. Ineffective strategy for handling setbacks fills you with the feeling of being inadequate and unable to go on. I would like to ask you these questions- How did you handle your last setback? Was your strategy effective? Were you left with the feeling of “I know I will make it”? Do you feel good about yourself? Do you think the way that you dealt with the last setback makes you better able to deal with the next challenge? I am now approaching a very important stage in my life, but it never fails to grieve me that a lot of us could be saved from the pain inflicted by setbacks, if we learn to handle them appropriately.

This is the tool!!!!!!!!
Work through these questions:
What is happening?
What are the alternative responses to this situation?
Which response will make me feel empowered and more prepared for the next challenge?
I would recommend that you choose the option that empowers you.

Today is the best day to begin to use these tools and to reflect on their effectiveness.

]]> http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/being-an-active-participant/feed/ 14 Find a Reason for Doing http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/find-a-reason-for-doing/ http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/find-a-reason-for-doing/#comments Thu, 28 Oct 2010 06:06:29 +0000 Magdalene Meduoye http://www.theoptimumperformance.com/find-a-reason-for-doing/ I started my day with a question and this has led me to re-defining my goal. To ensure my commitment to helping others through blogging does not wane I need to knw how my blogs help me. I think that my blogs are tools for me to ensure that I live the life of my dream. Everytime I publish a blog, I am a user and writer of the ideas in the blog.

You are likely to be committed to doing what you are doing to make the world around you a better place, if your own interest is being catered for.

Whatever you are doing today, find a reason that is related to your own interest. When you find that reason, your enthusiasm and commitment will be sky high.


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