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.

In tough economic times such as this, where many have lost their one-time ideal jobs, including top bank CEOs, Managers and what have you, and once-upon-a-time vibrant companies are folding up by the day, it is not out of place that the average man is desperate to find a good employment and ensure that he has food on his table, both for himself and his family. While some, who perhaps have an understanding of the opportunities this global recession offers to any enterprising man, get themselves involved in businesses that solve problems, offer them passive income, and create multiple streams of income for themselves, so many others unfortunately are still on the look out for the next “better” job offer and/or “easy and fast” cash. It is this latter set of people that easily fall prey to conmen and fraudsters who seem to have perfected their acts in recent times and now promise unbelievable job offers and opportunities that seem to be a blessing from God, until you get your fingers burnt.

I have often seen emails that from the very onset I know are scams and so unbelievable. But today, I received one purportedly from the United Nations Development Programme. Looking at the face value, the story line is well crafted and convincing to some point, and indeed can deceive a good number of uninformed persons, a category I’m certainly not in. So, I’d like to do something I’ve always wanted to do when I see emails like this – expose the fraudulent syndicate and perhaps, save a soul from being defrauded of his/her hard-earned.

Below is the email reproduced exactly as it came:

YOU ARE WELCOME TO THE PROGRAMME

From:
UNDP NEPAD

To: gafto73@yahoo.com

MR JERRY KENEDY DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME
P O BOX 66365
TELEFAX:001.202.559.7206
REF:UNDP/NEPAD/0001/USS/55/UN1

Sir/Madam ,
We want to bring to your immediate knowledge about the selection/recruitment for UNDP/NEPAD training programme which will start on 30th of November , 2009 and will close on the 20th of December, 2009. Before you will go for a 1 year training programme, which will start in the beginning of next year 2010 after your two weeks break in your verious country. This programme is meant to train people from the third world countries, in accordance with the United Nations initiative to reduce illitracy and poverty in Africa and Asian to the bearest mini-mum, this has been the main problem facing the entire globe, which also was the significant issue of discussion and implementation by the “GROUP OF 8 LEADERS” ( G8 LEADERS ) in their last summit in Germany hence the influx of Asians and Africans to the Western World in search of greener pastures.

The number of candidates needed for this Recruitment/Training Programme is 1000 people, 550 candidates from Africa and 450 candidates from Asia. We have already registered 370 candidates from Africa and 403 candidates from Asia, we only now have 227 vacant positions left and after that we will close the registration of candidates.

Those who are opportuned to be part of this programme will under go a 1 Year training in the United States, in different field of endeavours and those who are interested in furthering their University education will be under the Scholarship programme of this Organisation.

We are only interested in those who want to develop their hidden talents,and from there become useful to themselves, their individual families,their community, their country and the world at large. Which you will be post to any country of your choice for your primary assignment and you will be paid very month through our pay role data.

Be informed that we are going to take charge of the 80% expences and you will pay the 20% of the total expences made in the success of your travelling to the United state of America for this programme.

If you are interested in furthering your education and also in receiving a sound training that will see you through in life, do not hesitate to write us and request for information on registration. The age limit required is between 18 to 45 years, both male and female are expected to apply.

Note: Please, do not reply this mail if you are not interested in this training programme,it is only meant for those who are very desirous for societal and human advancement.

Very faithfully yours,

Mr. Ken Boge ( Publicity Sec )

Many things are obviously wrong in this concept and the process for executing it. I’ll discuss them in my next post. So, friend, if you have received this email, discard it like a plague. You can as well Share this with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, via email and any other means you can think of.

A word, they say, is enough for the wise.

It’s about 1.15am, Thursday September 10, 2009 and I’m still very much awake, watching the 2009 US Open Quarterfinal match between two teenage ladies, 17-year old Melanie Oudin and 19-year old Caroline Wozniacki, as relayed LIVE on ESPN.

Prior to this competition, the name Melanie Oudin meant next to nothing to me. I must say, I’d never even heard of her before. Indeed, many tennis fans would confess they never knew she existed too. But here we are today, at the grandest stage, the last of 4 yet the biggest tennis grand slam event of the year, the US open and the name Melanie Oudin is on everyone’s lips. Oudin’s age and newcomer status are only a couple of the many reasons she has become the focus of the year’s last major tennis championship. The other reason is not far-fetched – she’s swept through the competition like a hurricane, eliminating every opponent. Hold on a second, not just any opponent but people against whom she was the ultimate underdog. The worst-ranked of any of her opponents so far was No. 36 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the first round. Otherwise, Oudin dismissed No. 4-seeded Elena Dementieva, No. 13-seeded Nadia Petrova and former No. 1-ranked Sharapova. All are somewhere between 3 and 8 inches taller than the 5-foot-6 Oudin. And all, coincidentally, are Russians. By the way, Oudin herself was ranked No. 70

In each of her last three wins, starting against Beijing Olympics gold medalist Dementieva, Oudin lost the first set before coming back to defeat the more experienced, more accomplished player across the net. Here’s how she puts it: “Mentally, I’m staying in there with them the whole time, and I’m not giving up at all,” Oudin says. “If they’re going to beat me, they’re going to have to beat me, because I’m not going to go anywhere.”

That’s what I call BELIEVE, the word she has stamped near the heels of her pink-and-yellow sneakers. Believe, such a strong word. I guess it’s BELIEVE that has brought her this far. Her twin sister, Katherine, believes Melanie will play Serena in the finals. I believe too. But first, she has to overcome Wozniacki who has already taken the first set, 6-2.

If Melanie comes back from behind to win this game, as she done in the last three games, then indeed I believe she would have earned the title: The Darling of the 2009 US Open, regardless of what happens after this game.

Can she do it again? I’m watching.