Self Improvement Tips For Optimum Performance

Self Development Myth

Magdalene Meduoye — Sat, 12 May 2012 01:30:42 +0000

Let’s deal with some of the myth that hinders self development and growth.
Myth 1:
How did you begin to think that finding the answer is the most important thing in the world? You need to realise that the answer is good but the greatest pleasure is the engagement in the journey itself. Be alert, you cannot afford to miss the gems that the journey will reveal. The invaluable lessons learnt on the way are the tools that help you to build a better and richer life for yourself. When I say richer, it should not be defined simply in the financial sense, I mean wholeness. The journey is more important than the outcome.
Myth 2:
Being carefree is not a healthy attitude to life. You might have bought into the idea that compels you to be excessively concerned about being in control. If you are not in control, it feels as if the whole of life is running away from you. The danger with this attitude to life is that there is no room for those unplanned magical moments to be revealed. To discover new and exciting things there needs to be room for some organised carefree activities. These activities do not have the price of death written on them. You can afford to fail and it is not a big deal. Are you involved in some of these activities? If you are not, you can start today.
Myth 3:
Money is the only measure for success and growth. A careful look at the world around you will show that this cannot be the case. Money is good, but it is not the only measure of success. A very important part of having money is being conscious of how you are using it.
When you add a greater awareness of the journey to a balanced attitude to wealth and building in fun activities into the journey ahead, you are likely to continue to live the life of your dream.
You might be wondering about how to do this. I think you need to select a project, set your goal, map the journey but build in the element of surprise; when this project begins to make money’ remember to use it wisely and you will continue to grow and develop.
Continue to enjoy your journey

Living your Dream- Make it count

Magdalene Meduoye — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 07:36:06 +0000

Living your Dream- Make it count
What is happening now in your life? Are you feeling a stir to do something significant? Can you feel the urge to live a life beyond your wildest dream? These are natural responses but you need to harness these urges to drive you to accomplish the goal that you have already set. Do not be discouraged by the fact that these urges might not have straightforward links to the goals; you can make them part of your journey to reaching your goal.
Avoiding the feeling of aimless activities is important to reaching your goal. I am convinced that every activity has significance in your life. Maybe exploring an example will help to make this concept clearer to you. Yesterday I was visited by a number of my friends and we spent a lot of our time sharing, cooking and laughing. How can I make this event a significant part of my journey? I will ask some questions to help me to find purpose to this event- What is your goal? What skills do you need to accomplish this goal? How many of those skills did you practise during the visit? How much progress did you make? Do you think you have made progress in your journey to accomplishing your goal? How can you use this experience to further enhance your drive to accomplish the goal that you have specified?
Let me tell you what happened as I used these questions. It became apparent that this friendly visit is a great part in my commitment to living my dream. My friends brought out the gifts that are within me that are necessary in the journey ahead. I am able to communicate with a willingness to learn from the people around me; I enjoy teaching and having a good laugh. What are your ordinary events revealing about the way to make your goal a reality? Take time today to harvest the gifts contained in the ordinary day to day activities, they are more important than you think……
Enjoy your journey in self development and improvement.

Living your Dream

Magdalene Meduoye — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 05:28:48 +0000

Wow! It is another opportunity to spend time with my readers and maybe give an insight that will prove invaluable to the next great task in their lives.
Have you met with the great dreamers who seem to achieve very little? Does it make you think that dreams are not as powerful as you thought? There is a reason for unrealised dreams; this reason is not usually taken seriously……. Dreams have not got hands, legs, and intuition. They are completely dependent on you to come true. Consequently any dream that is not a motivator to engagement in work is completely dead. Did I say dead? Yes, I did.!!!!!!! When you begin to work out your dreams they suddenly develop lives of their own. Engagement in activities that are necessary for your dreams to come true opens the door for accomplishing great things in your life. Considering the power of commitment to work is crucial but is not enough to motivate most of us to work on our dreams.
I think one of the great enemies of seeing your dream fulfilled is the fear of failure. It is important that we deal with this issue. Let us think about it- You will fail at something many times in a day. Since this is the case, the fear of failure is unhelpful; we should be concerned about how to use thus fear to keep us working on our goals. Let me share a secret you. I am sometimes afraid of failing to reach my readers with the content of my article but I have decided not to allow this to stop me from writing. I am convinced of the power of words to influence us positively. Let’s think about it, what is the worst thing that could happen if I fail to help my readers through my writing? Can I live with that consequence? I think this fear is greatly outweighed by the benefit of reading an article that shapes your thinking about your dreams and encourages you to start working on them today.
Let’s summarise the tools that this article has explored to ensure you see your dreams come true- work on your dreams and do not allow the fear of failure to stop you.
Enjoy your journey in self development and growth.

Celebrate your uniqueness

Magdalene Meduoye — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 07:14:41 +0000

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.

Common Sense Approach to Self Improvement

Magdalene Meduoye — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:50:43 +0000

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.

Check out the Facts

Magdalene Meduoye — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:33:31 +0000

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.

Deal with Tension Within

Magdalene Meduoye — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 09:49:16 +0000

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………….

Successful Surfers Learn To Catch the Waves

Magdalene Meduoye — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 07:23:24 +0000

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.

Handling Challenging Situations with Integrity

Magdalene Meduoye — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 07:02:47 +0000

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.

Handling Challenging Situations : Create and Share Stories

Magdalene Meduoye — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 16:31:48 +0000

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.