ACTION - Secret to Success in 2013

“I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do.” – Helen Keller

2013 is a few days away, and we are gradually getting to that time when we will all start making New Year resolutions which is not bad at all, like many of us made at the beginning of this outgoing year. Or let us look at it like this, you set goals and will set other ones for the coming year.

As beautiful as that is as an idea, it is not all you need to get to where you want to get to at the end of this 2013, hence the encouragement and challenge I bring to you through this piece – ACTION! (Or as the title of one of my books says, “Make that Move”). In the words of Thomas Henry Huxley, “The great end of life is not knowledge (or just merely making resolutions and having goals), but action.” (Emphasis mine)

Isaac Newton is well remembered for several laws of motion propounded by him. One of such is, “Everything remains in a state of constant rest until an external force is applied.” Or we may say it like this, until ACTION is taking.

We live in a world of action and reaction, where if you don’t move nothing will move. Nothing happens by accident, someone has to make it happen or at least set the process in motion.

Do you know that in this world nobody is useless or incapable of anything? We only have people who will not act or take action. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Do the thing and you will have the power.”
Most of us have a dependent mentality. We are always waiting for someone to give us things, when in actual sense we can go out there and make things happen for ourselves and the world at large. I once heard someone say, “The world is not waiting for your explanation; they are waiting for your manifestation.”
According to Peter Marshall, “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned.”
Do you also know that if you remove the letter “I” from the word “ACTION” what you will have left is ‘ACT ON?’

That exactly is the point, you have what it takes to succeed in this world, you just have to ‘ACT ON’ it.

You may be wondering what it is you have and which you can ‘ACT ON.’ Very simple! The man by the name Solomon David Jesse said, “The gift of a man will make room for him and bring him before great men.”

You are to ‘ACT ON’ the same resolutions and goals you have for 2013 and by extension you gifts or talents, abilities and potentials; your God-given ideas, whatever it is – ‘ACT ON’ it. Ross Perot puts it in this light, “One idea can make you live like royalty for the rest of your life.”

Someone once observed that “Your talent is a gift to you from God, what you do with it is your gift back to God.” It is the secret to your success and fulfillment in life. Neglect it, and you regret it! Praise George, one of Nigeria’s relationship gurus said, “Success is a process that is consciously created. It is a personal responsibility which cannot be abdicated.”

As I bring this piece to its logical conclusion, I want you to take a thoughtful look at the following quotes:

Bishop T. D. Jakes says, “If success does not come after you, you go after success.” And Bill Newman in like manner said, “Opportunities do not come to those who wait, they are captured by those who dare to attack.”

“Faith without works (or corresponding action) is dead…” Bible.

“Action,” says Victor Gonzalez, “Is the first step towards success.”

“The first step to the Ultimate Success Formula is to know your outcome, that is, to define precisely what you want. The second step is to take action – otherwise your desires will always be dreams.” – Anthony Robbins

Remain progressively progressing.

I am your friend, Abiodun Mabadeje 
Motivator, author and an actor.
08023771690
abiodun.mabadeje@gmail.com

THE IRONY OF TELEVISION

For those that have been following my writings, I'm sure you're already saying, "This guy has come again with his very unconventional way of giving titles." "What is/can be ironical about the television again?" is probably the question on your mind right now.

Permit me to quickly tell you that i have only one purpose in mind for writing this particular piece, it is to get you angry. Not to angry at me (although I'm aware that that could happen), but at YOURSELF.

However it goes, I'll encourage you to humbly read through and read in-between the lines to see if there's something for you to grab and use, and I guarantee that there's definitely something for you. So much has been said about that 'box' in your sitting room called "Television." Some say it is good, while others say it is bad. In fact some went as far as labeling it "The devil's box."

I do not intend in anyway by this piece to further label it to be good or bad, you can decide that for yourself.
There is however one thing I know about the television, it got it's name from two root words, "Tele" and "Vision."
The other thing I know about this 'box' is that it is used to 'tele-vision,' meaning it is used to SHOW VISION.

I can imagine that in your mind now, you're asking, "So, what is the big deal about that?"
The big deal is that anytime you sit in front of a TV set to watch any programme, you are watching other people's vision or better put, the manifested vision of other people. The vision of other people is being televised for you to watch and enjoy.

You name any programme you know on TV, it is the manifestation of an idea (vision) that was once locked up in somebody's mind. Call it soap opera, documentary, movie, news or whatever. If you are discerning enough, by now you should be catching my drift with this article. And in case you're not, don't worry, I'll bail you out.

My point of view (more of a concern) is that, when will other people begin to watch your own vision? All those ideas, concepts, dreams that you have locked up in your mind all these years, when are we going to start enjoying them?
Okay, don't think that I am necessarily talking about you having a programme on TV (but if that happens, all well and good). For example, this piece was once a thought – an idea in my mind. That you are reading it now means that it has become a manifested vision (tele-vision), which you are enjoying.

May be I should be more specific and hit the nail right on the head. Let me ask you, who is reading your book? Who is listening to your CD? Is there someone putting clothes with your name as the label? Are people eating your food? Have you started a school that pupils could attend? Is someone drinking your water? Or ... (fill in the gap).

I hope that at this point you are becoming angry with yourself already?

Let me push it a little further for you. Is there anything in this world that has your name on it? Something you can live behind for posterity; something that will outlive you. If there's none, I think you should be ashamed of yourself and use your hand to cover your face (forgive my bluntness – I know truth is a bitter pill to swallow). But do not forget that I told you earlier that I intend to get you angry.

However, it is not too late for you to start doing something.

One thing and one thing alone is responsible for the manifestation of this piece that was once locked up in my mind as a thought as a thought or idea to become what you are reading and that thing is very simple – ACTION!
Action is the bridge between a conceived idea and its manifestation.

I therefore humbly submit to you that the reason why we are not yet witnessing the manifestation (or the 'tele-vision-ing') of your ideas is because you have refused to take action (Really no man lacks ideas, we only have men who will not work on their ideas).

These ideas have probably stayed for months, perhaps years in the incubating room of your mind but because of in-action, you have remained in the incubating room of life. Your generation is waiting for the manifestation of your conceived vision which has remained in limbo because you have refused to take action.

As I wind up in my quest to get you angry, permit me to brag and blow my own trumpet a little bit to show you some ways in which my own vision(s) is/are being 'tele-vision-ed':
- I am an author of seven published books
- I have written several articles with a good number of them already published on net and hardcover magazines
- I'm sure you know that I am the publisher of this newsletter in your hand (Motivation.Com)
- I have 2 audio CDs and 1 DVD products
- I am the M.D/C.E.O. of Hedge Publishing Ventures (in case you have materials you want to publish or print, make sure you contact me)
- I am a public speaker with very strong bias for motivations and have graced the platform with some of the big names you know
- I am an actor with nothing less than 22 years experience on stage (and screen)
- And... and... and... so on and so on...
- I am ABIODUN MABADEJE, 234-8023771690, abiodun.mabadeje@gmail.com

 

Exerpt from Chapter 2 of the book The Call; The Passion; The Destiny!

                                                                            WHO AM I?

... This is a question of identity. It is one you must answer, because if you don’t know who you are, you will not know what you are about or why you are here?

Misplaced identity has become the albatross of many. They are trying to be who they are not – talk, walk, and even dress like some else.

Without wasting your valued time, let me quickly help you understand yourself and know who you are so that you will be able to function as you should.

Offspring of God

‘“Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’" Gen. 1:26

If I stopped now, I would have achieved my aim. That is the answer to that question “Who Am I?” You are an extension of God. You are divine in nature and carry royalty on your inside. The genes of God run in your system. Simply put, you are God personified.

Do not think that this is blasphemy, it is the truth about who and whose you are, you are God’s and His ambassador on earth. You are God’s eyes, hands and legs here on earth. He cannot do anything without you. You are His co-creator, His partner in progress.

You are more than what you think of yourself, the circumstances of your life notwithstanding. The challenges you are facing are not a true reflection of your real nature. That you have no money in your pocket does not make you a poor man; unless God can be poor. He is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills (Psalm 50:10)

So, if someone should ask you, who are you? Your answer should be, I am God, and you would not have been wrong, because you are God in human flesh.

“Know ye not that ye are gods, and all ye are the sons of the Most High?…”

WETIN YOU CARRY?

I have no doubt whatsoever that you are smiling right now because of this title. I knew when I chose it as a title that it is funny. And I also know that it is a familiar phrase that we can all relate to, especially if you are from my part of the world. In fact, that is why I chose it.

Without any prejudice against any person or group of persons, I have no doubt that you know the set of people that are associated with this phrase, I refer to them as “The men in black,” you can fill in the gap.

Whenever any member of this group accosts and asks you “Wetin you carry?” it is usually with a mind of finding an exhibit with you; something with which they can accuse and for which they can arrest you.

For the purpose of my intent for writing this piece, I see myself in the light of these men (i.e the men in black). However, there are things that differentiate me from them. While I am asking you “Wetin you carry?” I am not doing so in order to find an ‘exhibit’ with you - something with which to accuse and arrest you.

I am asking YOU this question, “WETIN YOU CARRY?” from a positive point of view. I am doing so because I know that you indeed carry SOMETHING, not something illegal, but legal. I don’t know what it is that you carry, how big or small, but for a surety, I am certain that you carry SOMETHING!

It is beyond me to discover for you what you carry, but I intend to help YOU discover “Wetin You Carry.”

Before you read any further, please take a moment to ask yourself, “WETIN I CARRY?”

You might be asking what the need for that is. The purpose is so that you can think, which is something not many people are used to doing. In fact many dread the thought of thinking; it seems like too much work to do. No wonder Henry Ford said, “Thinking is hard work and that’s why many avoid it.” But the good book tells us, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.”

Bishop David Oyedepo further stressed that, “If you don’t think you will stink.” And my humble position is that the day you stop thinking is the day you start sinking.

Further on the issue of asking questions, Anthony Robbins said, “The quality of your life is directly proportional to the quality of questions you ask yourself and others around you.” He also said, “When you ask the right question, you will find the right answer.”

Questions are good for your health and life.

“He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes, but he who does not ask a question is a fool forever.” – Chinese Proverb

I said ask yourself, “WETIN I CARRY?”

As we continue, let us consider a few examples from the word of God. ‘“… Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves. So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil…”’ – II Kings 4:1-7

You may also think like this woman that you have nothing except ‘a jar of oil.’ I want you to know that that jar of oil, whatever it is, is SOMETHING. Rev. Sam Adeyemi said, “The thing you need to turn your life around is around you.” YOU CARRY SOMETHING!

The story of the Israelites in the Bible, especially their deliverance from captivity in Egypt, is still a classic. One man who was at the centre of it all was Moses. I don’t have to go through the details. We all know that God used him to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt. One thing that Moses had and which God used to wrought most of the miracles that eventually led to their deliverance was a ‘Shepherd’s rod.’ ‘“So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hands? And he said, “A rod.”’ – Exodus 4:2.

I don’t know what your own rod is, but I am convinced beyond every shadow of doubt that you have your own rod. WETIN YOU CARRY?

“A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.” – Pro. 18:16

“Gift?” you may ask. Yes GIFT – your TALENT! That God-given ability to sing; to dance; to write; to run; to play football; to cook; to organize; to be creative or whatever it is you are gifted to do. That is what I am talking about.

Matt. 25: 14-30 (summarily) says, God has given you at least one talent. You are to discover it, develop it and the deploy it. i.e. give it commercial value and profit from it. After all Jesus said in Luke 12:33, “Sell what you have…” Deut. 8:18 also (summarily) says, God does not give wealth, He only gives the power to get wealth. That power is at your disposal.

Check out I Tim. 4:14a, “Do not neglect that gift that is in you…” II Tim. 1:6, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you…” Notice that the gift is in YOU!

“When we fail to use our potentialities we get farther and further away from God’s realities.” – Ubong Essien

God gave you ability so that you will not be a liability. He did not create you for a life of mediocrity or obscurity, but to be a celebrity and that’s why He gave you the ability to counter the effects of the reality of the calamity that subsist in your society.

Look around you; look to your hands; look within you. YOU CARRY SOMETHING!

There are people in this world with certain problems and you are the one with the solution to their problems, in fact not only do you have the capacity to solve their problems, you are the very solution they have been waiting for. If you don’t manifest, they will die with their problems. You are blessed to be a blessing. Note also that the money you earn is c proportional to the problems you solve.

“The world is not waiting for your explanation; they are waiting for your manifestation.” The Bible puts it like this, “For the earnest expectation of the whole creation eagerly waits for the revealing (manifestation) of the sons of God.” – Romans 8:19

Finally, I want to implore you not to go and enrich the grave any further than it is, don’t go to the grave with your gift. The grave does not need it, the world does. Enrich your nation and generation with you gift. Imagine if Bill Gates and his friend, Paul Allen never stepped out with their gifts – the love for software development. What would the world be like today without computers? Think about it.

The ability to write is one of the things I carry and that is why you are reading this piece.

WETIN YOU CARRY?

JPEG copy of some pictures taken during METAMORPHOSIS 2012

METAMORPHOSIS 2012 ... rethinking the process

You are specially invited as a guest to attend this life changing seminar. It promises to be explosive. Invite your friends also.

Sat. May 19
10a.m.

RCCG, 50 Charles Avenue, Suru B/Stop, Orile-Mile 2 Road.

WAKA-PASS Reloaded

Having been a player in the acting scene for over two decades, I know that for every story you always have major or main characters and minor characters. Apart from these, there are also such characters that are referred to as ‘extras.’ In local parlance, these are usually referred as “WAKA-PASS.”

These are characters whose roles are not necessarily important; they are part of the crowd. Their inclusion or non-inclusion in the play does not affect the story or its message.

Just as you watch RMD, Ramsey Noah and those other star actors and actresses, so also a story has been written by the Creator concerning your life in which you should be the protagonist (main character). It is however disheartening that many live oblivious of this fact, which will make me ask you, do you realize your role and how important it is to the story?

God who is the Chief Director expects you as the main character to give your best so that people can come and pay to watch you.

So unfortunate though, is the fact that most people do not understand their roles in the story of their own lives. They do not know how important they are to the Chief Director who is also the Producer and has put so much resources on the ground to get the best out of them, hence they inadvertently act as “WAKA-PASS” – ‘not important,’ ‘insignificant,’ ‘won’t amount to anything,’ ‘can’t change the story,’ and so on.

I tell you, that is a wrong perception of who you truly are. Sam Adeyemi titled one of his books – “You Are More Than This.” In other words all we see of you right now is not all there is to your life. Bishop T. D. Jakes says, “The only number you add to another and does not increase the value of that other number is the number zero.” You are not a zero but a hero. You may have written exams before and failed. It does not mean you are a failure, it only means you are yet to succeed. Your business may be experiencing doom instead of boom, but I want you to know that in spite of the gloom there is still room for improvement. Bishop David Oyedepo on his part said, “There is a treasure in your nature, which you can use to terminate all the pressures in your life.”

I will simply put it to you like this, God did not create you for a life of mediocrity or obscurity but to be a celebrity and that is why He gave the ability to counter the effects of the reality of the calamity that subsist in your society. God gave you ability so that you will not be a liability. You are an asset!

It has been proven that there are over six billion people on the face of the earth today but none is like you. There is no second you; none has the same finger or footprints as yours. You are special. “Fearfully and wonderfully made” says the Bible. If you want the glory make sure you fulfill your purpose by playing your role as the main character in the story of your own life. You are not a “WAKA-PASS.”

God bless you and see you at the top.