There is no box!

I have often heard people say that you need to think outside the box. Then I remember reading somewhere that the first perception that people need to get out of their minds is the idea of thinking outside the box because really, there is no box...just think. Oftentimes we get ourselves into situations and then think we are in such a rut and don't know what to do about it, yet the only person who can possibly do something about the situation that you are in is you! So I was in a financial 'rut' and went to see a mentor, an amazing lady and she shared a few words with me. Firstly she said there was nothing she could do about my finances immediately, but she gave me ways in which to avoid getting into the same situation again. (That's a topic for another blog altogether). Then she went on to talk about goals. It is very important to set your long and short term goals clearly. This may sound cliche but really, this maps your whole life and your day to day routine because everything that you do on a daily basis should contribute to the achievement of your goals in one way or the other and if it doesn't, why are you wasting your precious time doing it? Then we talked in great length about money and its management. She said the way you deal with $10 is exactly the same way you deal with a million dollars. So its important to have a plan for all your income, which should include investment. What I liked was her idea that money is a creation of the mind. You are as rich as you imagine yourself to be. Its all in the mind, correct your state of mind and you correct everything else. It might not make sense to you now, but the place I had reached, this statement was the solution to all my problems. We hold the power to shape our destiny in the way that we want, just believe it and you can achieve it. Then we talked about relationships and what was profound was the fact that you are only 50% responsible for a relationship with someone else, but you are 100% responsible for how you feel. Your success, or lack of it is your responsibility. Above all, deal with happy people and remove ALL forms of negativity in your life, it only pulls you back! Use every failure as an opportunity to do better. So now that you realise that the power is in your hands, what are you waiting for?

The Hired Help

I love the maid that I have to bits. She thinks outside the box and is so innovative it even surprises me. You don't appreciate what you have until its gone and its this long festive season that made me miss her presence so much. Now I'm not as domesticated as one should be, not that I can't but household chores are not something that I enjoy doing, so hey why not get someone who can do it better than me.
In every business, its always wiser to get people that are better than you in an area of expertise that you need them to run. Yes, have an appreciation of the trade, just enough to keep your reigns on it, but let the horse gallop. I'm amazed by bosses who don't employ people simply because they are threatened by the fact that the potential incumbent is more qualified than they are and hence their job is threatened. But look on the other side of the coin, this very qualified person can take your business to the next level, the business is still yours remember.

I love working with qualified people in a certain field. They can make you look good, like really good. Let's face it, there is no way that you will ever know everything, but build a strong team around you and pay them well, and in turn they will make the profits for you.

The Hired Help

OPERATION: HAPPY :)

The only way that I seem to be able to get through from one day to the other is by creating a state of mind that I feel I want to be in constantly. One of my many resolutions for 2012 is maintaining positivity in everything that I do which I have called operation happy! Happiness is a state of mind. Being happy does not necessarily mean that everything is going on well but it simply means I am in control of whatever situation I am in and can choose to feel however I want to feel about it, but whatever I choose to feel will determine the outcome of my problems...or rather in operation happy terms, challenges!

So in my quest to achieve operation happy, I have decided (note how I have made the choice) to adopt 7 keys to phenomenal success, by Moky Makura, Nigerian born actress and TV presenter in SA and author of "Africa's Greatest Entrepreneurs".

1. Willingness to take risks- after having established yourself as a specialist in your field of expertise.
2. An opportunistic nature- when timing and place is right, go for it.
3. An innovative mind- start with what you have and better it.
4. A vision - what is your strategy?
5. An ability to lead- be charismatic, be engaging, take responsibility for your actions.
6. Immense drive - when do you start and stop your day?
7. A 'want-to-do' attitude - don't just dream it, do it!

So let's hope this brings us phenomenal success for 2012, in the meantime, let's engage OPERATION: HAPPY!

Ignite!