As the Year 2009 winds down, I’ll like to leave you with an article I hope you’ll read carefully and then resolve to apply the steps therein; if you put these steps into ACTION, I guarantee you a 2010 loaded with solutions for every problem you will encounter. You can be sure of this, my friend – YOU WILL ENCOUNTER PROBLEMS IN THE NEW YEAR. Make no mistake about that. No amount of wishful thinking and prophetic release would take that away from you, because it’s only natural that problems must come.

However, what will make you stand out of the crowd of people who are swallowed up by life’s challenges is the simple application of the steps herein exposed.

We all face problems in our life. The only difference is your reaction to the problems. Looking at problems positively will make a world of difference in dealing with them. Do not view problems as obstacles to your growth. Problems are challenges in our life. They are opportunities for growth. That’s my psychology.

Here are the 7 steps to solving problems in 2010:

1. Be calm: Do not allow negative emotions such as fear to frighten you when you are encountering a problem. Stay calm and collected. A positive mindset will allow you to look at a problem fully and clearly.

2. Look at the problem carefully (Analysis): Closely examine the sources of the problem and gather enough information about the subject. Find out more about it from experienced people. Identify those that are beyond your control and find ways to tackle those you can deal with.

3. Take a break: When you are stuck, get away from it and have a break. Allow your mind to clear its clutter.

4. Find a solution: Based on the information that you have collected in the previous stage, look at ways to overcome the problem. Always find a simple solution to a complicated problem.

5. From the known to the unknown: Find out from your previous experience if you can use it to solve the present problem. Start with what you know about what to do and move on to the unknown.

6. The best solution: A solution should be beneficial to you and to others. Look at the solution impartially. You may not find the right answer, just look for a suitable solution

7. Action: Carry out the steps to solve the problem. Review the actions taken at regular intervals. Revise and make adjustment whenever necessary.

For each problem that you are able to find a solution, you will achieve a higher level of satisfaction and happiness

So, Welcome to Year 2010 – Bring It On.

Have you ever seen such a sign post as shown above as you drive on the highways of Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Accra, Johannesburg, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Paris or wherever in the world you may be? I doubt. However, it is interesting to note that in the journey of life, such sign post comes up every now and then. Here’s one sign post just coming up your screen:

I want to reveal a secret to you, please relax. You have already gotten to open this post, so you are ahead of a long line of people who wait a little longer to read. I’m going to share my heart with you. I hope you’ll read me with your heart as well.

Once our hearts believe, our heads can easily follow

I’ll also ask for your permission on a few things. If you can oblige me those things, this post and the mail you are about to read, will make a real difference in your life this year! Here are my few requests:

1. Before you continue reading, make up you mind to empty yourself of all prejudices and pre-conceived notions about referral based businesses. It might be tough I know, but your pre-conceived positions will limit you. Trust me. Read objectively, and look with fresh eyes.

“The uneducated in the 21st century is not one who can’t read and write, it’s one who can’t learn, unlearn and relearn” – Dr. Tunde Bakare

2. Don’t jump to the bottom, try and read this line by line and with an open mind.

3. Make your decision within 24hrs and take action. What you are reading will not be useful to you otherwise. Believe me though that it will make a difference if you consciously and delibrately make a positive move.

This are all that I require you to have in mind as you read further.

It’s one thing to read about something, it’s another thing to know it, and it’s yet another thing to practice what you read and know. I had known that there were broadly two types of people when it comes to difficult problems: the ones that walk away, and the ones that stay unreasonably to solve the problem. Where do you belong?

For a year, I refused to participate in a business opportunity that is currently transforming my life! Why did I refuse? I refused because I thought I had gotten enough of referral based businesses (Network Marketing, Direct Selling, Multilevel Marketing, Affiliate Marketing e.t.c.) and I simply had quietly decided to walk away, especially from the ones that needed “heavy cash” to join. I had made a few losses and some over exaggerated successes, but I didn’t feel good with the fact that a lot of people came out of those ventures as outright losers. I care more for value, a good name and great friends, than I could ever care for money – and these businesses were just not making it happen for me. I walked away from this opportunity for about 12 months.Thank God for the insistence of my business mentor, Solomon James.

After a long while, I decided to ask myself a fundamental question. I decided to ask for support to practically answer these questions by the company. The answers to these questions, and the position I could take made me take action. I’m hoping you see them as well.

What is the problem of referral based businesses, and can they be solved?

Problem1: The owners of the companies often times are not credible, they stay invisible, they don’t come to Nigeria, have no local registration in Nigeria and might one day just shut down their systems and dissappear into thin air.

Solution: Can we ensure that the leaders of the company are known to a lot of Nigerians? Can we ensure that they come to Nigeria? Can we ensure the companies are locally registered in Nigeria and allow Nigerians to part own the company? Can we ensure the involvement of a local credible entrepreneur like Prof Pat Utomi as the Chairman of the Nigerian company? Can we ensure that Nigerians meet all the board members and that the Chairman also meets all the foreigners?

Status: 100% Done. Agreements were concluded with Chairman in August 2009 in Mauritius and today, Prof. Pat Utomi, a revered entrepreneur is the Chairman of Holidays and Cash, Nigeria.

Problem2: Usually these companies sell products that are of no value to Nigerians. Nigerians participate only because of the financial possibilities from referring others. People end up feeling scammed when they buy products they don’t intend to use, and refuse to market to make the money they planned to make.

Solution: Can we ensure that there are many options of products? Can we ensure that once you buy a particular product you get amazing discounts on the rest? Can we ensure that people can get laptops for as low as N29,000 and get it bundled with other great products? Can we get people an opportunity to develop themselves with e-books worth $3000 as an add on? Can people buy landed property at discounted prices and still earn from referring others to any of the products? Can people buy personal branding kits? Attend special trainings as product offers? Use their privilege packs to book local flights at ridiculous prices? Save up to $800 on just hotel bills for one international trip from a pack that costs less than 1/3 of the savings? Can we make this like a real online market with a baseline of refer and profit?

Status: 101% Done. And much more to come… inverters, cameras, e.t.c.

Problem 3: These companies or “schemes” as many see them look easy before you start, but they end up being too much work. It’s as if you should never stop, ‘cos once you stop, you do not earn anymore. The boards keep splitting and you have to keep running around and “getting people”. They have absolutely no passive income potential, and it’s difficult to predict what you need to do before you earn. The bad part is once you have gotten so many people, they split so far away from you, that it doesn’t even pay you to help them.

Solution: Is it possible to have a model that actually has the possibility of generating passive income so that this doesn’t become another JOB and slave camp? Is it possible to predict exactly what needs to be done to get results? Is it possible to get results without depending on other people, just on one’s own efforts? Is it possible to help people, hear thank you and still directly help yourself? Is it possible to earn even when the person you are helping is 2000 generations and 5yrs away from you?

Status: 100% Done and Yes to all questions!

The company is far from where it was when I joined, it will be far from where it is today if you join and come in with other brilliant ideas. Without you, we have built this business into having over 6,000 Nigerians on board with people earning in dollars weekly including me. I earned $161 in my first 3 days of joining. Many of our members are also joining in Nation building initiatives – in Education, in the Power Sector, in Electoral Reforms and even in Politics. You know why it’s easy for us? Because we are free! We are not free as we want to be yet, but we determine our own timetables.

The words of William Wallace (modified) echoes in our spirits –

“You came to fight as free men, free men you are! Run, and you will live. At least a while. But years from now, you will die, in your beds on the roads, anywhere! Are you willing to stake all the days from now till then for one chance, just one chance to stand here and tell our enemies that they may take our time (5am to 10pm every weekday) and our current choices (determine were we live, when we break, when we take our vacation) but they will never take away our Freeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom!

So, friend, I ask you again: Are You Interested in Financial Freedom?

If your answer is YES, then Congratulations. All you need to do is CLICK HERE and read the information package I have provided. Once you are ready to make your purchase, click on the BUY NOW button. After then, you can fill your details to be registered for the business opportunity. You can call me to guide you every step of the way – +2348068941578.

Ekpo Ekpo

www.holidaysandcash.com/glorioussolutions

P.S.S:

This is a win-win opportunity and you can’t lose – except of course you ignore this message. Remember, if you always DO what you have always DONE, you’ll always succeed in getting exactly what you’ve always GOT! Also, don’t wait till your friends tell you, be a first.

I read the following article somewhere and thought I could share it with you. I believe it will be of immense help and impact to you. Happy Reading!

Innovation is the capacity to think beyond the known, defy the norm, and believe in one’s ability to solve problems. I remain positive because I am convinced that no problem is unsolvable. You do not have to throw in the towel, commit suicide, or quit because every problem has a solution. No matter what happens in this current economic crisis, you can solve it.

There are ways to rise above crisis. You have to think innovatively. What you need is on the inside of you. You have to initiate solutions. Do not wait for things to happen to you. Take control, and decide what happens. You have to place demands on your potential. Your answers may be found in a talent or ability that you least expect could be used. There is a way to rise above.

In order to rise above crisis, you have to believe in your ability to solve problems.

Look at what you have. Study your environment, your experience, and your relationships. You never know who has the rest of your puzzle. As it pertains to visionary leadership, you always have a piece of the vision for your life, and there are other people around you and in the world that have the rest of what you need.

Additionally, you also have to see the potential of resources. Understand the true nature of resources. Study your resources. Then act. You have to have the attitude of a Kingdom innovator. You must believe that nothing is impossible. You must also believe that there is no one way to solve a problem. For example, you may have been taught that there are only two ways to cross water—by boat or swim. However, God told Moses, “No. I will open the water, and you walk on dry land” (Ex 14:16). Also, Jesus demonstrated another way to cross water; He walked on it (Matt 14:25).

In these critical times, you need to find new ways to solve old problems. For example, Jesus performed miracles, using diverse methods. He healed several blind men but all in different ways. He touched two, put mud on the eyes of another, and just spoke to another (Matt 9:29; Jn 9:6; Lk 18:42). Therefore, though you may be in a financial crisis, there is more than one way to earn money. Do not think that you have to get a job in order to earn a salary. God may be saying, “I am not going to remove this crisis until you think differently.”

Finally, never surrender to limitations. Crisis is the time to break barriers. Do not be afraid to fail.

You will never succeed greatly until you are willing to fail greatly.

This factor is a benefit of crisis. It pushes you in ways that you have never been before. Be willing to try anything at least once. It is better to have tried and failed than to not have tried and never know you could have succeeded.

Perhaps, let me share with you a clear example of innovation which I witnessed with my very eyes. I come from a state that is generally regarded as a “civil servants” state in Nigeria – Cross River State. That is because, over 70% of the inhabitants are civil servants, working for one government parastatal or the other. Nobody wanted to do business in Calabar, because the city was not in any way a business-hub and civil servants were considered amongst the poorest of the working class.

In fact, ours was a city and a state in crisis (financial crisis that is) until along came a man of passion and innovation. A young man by the name of Donald Duke, who turned around the crisis-ridden state and created other ways of income for the people. Between 1999 – 2007 as Governor, he embarked on what many considered “white-elephant projects”, establishing the TINAPA, Obudu Cattle Ranch, The International Obudu Range Mountain Race, Marina Resort and Calabar Carnival, amongst others, creating a Tourism Industry that ranks the best in Nigeria. Today, Calabar is the place to be especially during the Yuletide season, as hundreds of thousands of people travel from all across the world to participate in the 31-day Celebrations and watch the 2-day Carnival Float. I was in Calabar a couple of weeks ago, and almost everywhere I turned, businesses had sprung up, especially Hotels, Guest Houses and the likes. Indeed, the people must be grateful for the change in their fortunes.

So, my friend, whatever crisis you may be facing right now, look critically inside and find the Innovative You waiting to emerge.

Compliments of the Season!

Today is a very special date that carries many memories, memories that were more often than not, unpleasant. Today is the 11th Day of November, the 11th month. What’s so special about the date, you may want to ask. Here it is; in my secondary school days in the great Hope Waddell Training Institution (HOWAD, for short), an all-male school founded in 1895 in the ancient city of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria, 11-11 was the most dreaded of all days for any new student. It was popularly called “Foxes’ Day”, a day in which the “foxes” were formerly initiated into the school community by having their tails cut off. Who were the foxes? Another good question – simply, the just admitted Junior Secondary School(JSS) 1 students, who were usually about 2-3 months old in the secondary school system as at this date.

At exactly 11.00am Nigerian time, the Senior Secondary School (SSS) 3 students would troop enmasse to the classroom blocks of the JSS1 students and bring them all out for the initiation ceremony – “the cutting of the foxes tail”. “Cutting off the foxes tail” could entail any kind of punishment that the SSS 3 students dimmed fit to be meted out to the poor little chaps. Traditionally, the ceremony began by attaching a long piece of tissue paper to the shorts of the students – to depict a tail – and then flogging the foxes until the tails cut off. Other punishments ranged from frog jumping, lying in the gutter to bizarre acts such as being drenched in urine. I’m serious – I witnessed this in my very first year in school, 1992. It didn’t matter what day 11-11 fell on. If it was going to be a weekend, then the Friday before or Monday after, the ceremony was held. Every set had it’s ardent executors of the Foxes Day.

I still remember my saving grace that very year when I was a fox, 11-11-1992. I was in my class, JSS 1P (we were that many, we even had JSS 1W, each class filled with no less than 30 students) and the ceremonies were just about getting started when an SS3 student, Mr. Godwin Inyang, a dear family friend, came and picked me out of the class. As we took a stroll together, I could see my colleagues who were getting the beating of their lives; I clung unto Godwin’s arm even closer. It wasn’t a pleasurable sight, to be sincere.

As the years went by, the foxes day became an even more dreadful day, not just for the JSS1 students, but every class below SS3. I clearly remember that the worst beating I got in school was on 11-11-1996, when I was in ss2A. Our class was suddenly invaded by the most Senior Students and we got the beating of our lives from every Tom, Dick and Harry. This tradition had become enshrined into the school system such that it more or less became a norm and there was absolutely nothing the school authorities could do about it. Well, nothing anyone could do until a new administration came on board, an administration that choose to be it’s brother’s keeper instead of tormentor.

First, sometime in the early part of 1997, a new principal was posted to HOWAD, then Elder Nsa E. Eyo now Revd. Nsa E. Eyo. Then, against all odds, after a rigorous screening exercise, I became the 102nd Senior School Prefect of HOWAD, leading a team of over 40 prefects and a population of over 4000 male students. We were so many I’m sure I didn’t really get to know all the prefects working with me until we left. Don’t ask me how the tenure went; I believe others will have a better assessment. But, I must say, I did enjoy myself and much of the leadership skills I learned from my experience still guide me till today.

Well, a couple of days to 11-11-97, we had started considering what to do to reverse the trend. Our thoughts fell just in line with those of the Principal, who summoned us to an urgent meeting to discuss how we could break the 11-11 jinx. In the meeting, he explained to us how disturbing the whole tradition was and charged us to find a workable plan to stop the “menace”.

So, therein lies Step #1 to breaking the jinx – Appreciating the Problem. This first step is very vital if you must find a solution to any problem you are encountering. You must appreciate that there is a problem, in the first place; otherwise, why look for a solution? Many people usually turn a blind eye to the fact that an unfavourable and recurring situation in their lives is a deep-rooted problem. In fact, sometimes they become so comfortable with the situation that the abnormal becomes a norm. That’s when you start hearing statements like “that’s the way it used to be”; “it’s been like this for years, you cannot change it” etc.

Back to our story. So, we had an in-house emergency meeting and did some serious brainstorming on how we could turn 11-11 to a happy day. I still remember some suggestions that were made including one that we should assemble the JSS1 students, in particular, in the Assembly Hall and have them entertain themselves. I think we jettisoned that idea because it left the rest of the classes (JS2 – SS2) still vulnerable to attack. After a long session, we finally arrived at a technique we thought would work.

So, Step #2 – Brainstorm on the Problem and possible solutions. It has been said that “two good heads are better than one”. Well, in recent times, it’s been modified to “two good heads are better than one”. When faced with a difficult task, do yourself some good by gathering a team of persons you think can help you brainstorm. You’ll find out that the solution will come out much easier than if you tried to do it yourself.

Here was our plan and here’s exactly how it turned out on D-day. At exactly 11am on 11-11-97, the big bell was rung as a signal to all students to remain in their classrooms. It was a “No-Loitering-Allowed Day”. Any student that was outside his class a minute after the bell was doing so at his own risk. Then, we stationed prefects at every block of classrooms to ensure that none of our classmates got close to those classes. The school authority, on her part, led by the Vice Principal (Admin), the tough Mr. Ugbaja, stationed teachers beneath the SS3 block (popularly called the Aso Rock), making sure that not even the senior students could step out. It was a strategy that worked far beyond our wildest imaginations. About 30 minutes after D-hour, I stood with the Principal and his vice and viewed the classroom blocks around the big field. We could hardly see a single student outside. It was a sight to behold and I’ll never forget the feeling of accomplishment that ran through my spine. We had done the impossible. We had broken the 11-11 jinx!

Step #3 – Work out a plan and follow it to the letter. It is important that when you put together a plan, you must do your best to work out and walk through the plan. Many people sometimes leave their plans half-way because it may not seem to be working out initially. You have to learn to give something a try first, before looking for the perfect touch.

Today, as we mark yet another 11-11, I can’t say what’s going on in HOWAD but I really do hope that some good kind-hearted leaders can follow our example and make it a most memorable day for all the students.

I’ll like to sign off this article with our usual shout-out in those heydays. HOWAD Wee!!!! Waaaa!!!!

GLORIOUS

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxlb_aESLZQ

This is BREAKING NEWS LIVE from the University of Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria where the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has successfully mobilised her arsenal, the Nigerian students to protest the prolonged faceoff between the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Academic Staff Union of Universities over a pay rise and breach of contract/agreement by the Federal Government.
For the last 9 weeks, this problem has gotten no head way as both parties are not willing to give any more grounds to the other. Like an African proverb says:

When two elephants are fighting, the grass suffers

It appears the grass in this case has decided to protest its continued suffering and the Nigerian students have decided to take to the streets, closing the major road leading out of Port Harcourt to other parts of the country like Bayelsa, Delta, Benin etc. The peaceful protest which started at 8.00am Nigerian time was initially greeting with gun shots by policeman who showed up on the scene. However, the students have stood their ground and are not relinching on their effort to solve this strike problem.

Hear what they are saying:

The bedrock of development in any nation is EDUCATION

We want Educational Amnesty for protesting

We will not allow our fathers, who have squandered their own future to mortgage ours as well

We call for the immediate resignation of the Education Minister, Dr. Sam Egwu, he is a failure

Asked how long the protest will last, an official of the NANS said that the students will continue to read on the major road until the strike is called off. Interesting, isn’t it?

More of the action, which is ongoing, will be relayed in the Featured Video Section on the right sidebar. It is our earnest desire that the President Umaru Yar’adua, his cabinet, ASUU and the rest of the stakeholders in the decaying Nigerian Educational System will heed the students plea and call off this strike action.

This is a clarion call to every Nigerian student. Wherever you may be, let’s join our hearts together and pray for the deliverance of this nation, the deliverance of our future, the deliverance of the poor minority who cannot afford One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira school fees and yet have to spend 6 good years in a 4-year programme, while the children, grandchildren and great-grand children of our rulers (not leaders) attend prestigious private universities in Nigeria and abroad (abroad, that includes Ghana) with our own money, our monies that we kept in banks for safe-keeping yet one human being will borrow and not pay until the bank goes bankrupt. What an irony of life!

Wake up folks, raise your voice aloud, on top of the hills, on top of the mountains, in the creeks of the Niger Delta, in the poorest surburbs of the lagoons, in the posh homes in Abuja, in the deserts of the North – wherever you are, raise your voice. This nationa belongs to all of us, not a select few. One family or dynasty doesn’t have the RIGHT TO RULE over us for eternity. Let your voice be heard!

Thumbs up to NANS officials, thumbs up to every Nigerian student on the street today.

Long Live NANS,
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Long Live YOU, the Nigerian Student.

Comments are very much welcome.