PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE POWER OF VISION & MAXIMISING THE MOMENT

SELF-DEVELOPMENT:

A Major Recipe for Success Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound. The man who does not shrink from self–crucifixion can never fail to accomplish the object upon which his heart is set. - James Allen

What is Self-Development? Personal development is the conscious, disciplined, and sustained series of investment in the self through the acquisition of knowledge and skills, as well as the application of the acquired knowledge and skills for an enhanced lifestyle. Areas of Personal Development The development of the self is as composite an entity as the very nature of man. It consists of various interdependent aspects of human, which all work together to produce a better person when cultivated, or result in a debased existence when ignored. The different aspects of man open to cultivation for development are his: Spiritual state Mental state Emotional state Physical state Social status, and his Professional/vocational performance If you want to be wealthy and happy, learn this lesson well: learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job. - Jim Rohn Painting The Right Picture:

THE POWER OF VISION AND FOCUS

What is A Vision? Vision is the ability to see what is not yet, so you can create what never was. -Doug Firebaugh A blind man’s world is bounded by the limits of his touch; an ignorant man’s world by the limits of his knowledge; a great man’s world by the limits of his vision. - E. Paul Hovey Visions and dreams are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements. - Napoleon Hill The most pathetic person in the world is someone who has sight but has no vision. – Helen Keller, 1880-1968, American Blind/Deaf Author and Lecturer Aligning Goals to Your Personal Vision do an Inventory of your skills, Abilities, Knowledge, Character Attributes/Weaknesses, and Spiritual Gifts ¡ What are your God-given abilities? ¡ What skills have you acquired? ¡ What education do you have? ¡ What are your Character strengths & weaknesses? ¡ What is your Spiritual Gifting? Draw A Life Plan How does your Life Vision Statement translate into practical goals? ¡ Do you have a calendar of when you will do what? ¡ What tasks do you have to undertake to accomplish these goals? ¡ How will you know when you have achieved your goals? Goals must be SMART: Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Realistic; Time Limited. A Career Plan: ¡ What are your career goals? ¡ Do you have a plan to advance in your career? ¡ What experience do you need for advancement? ¡ What education do you need for advancement?

3. MAXIMISING THE MOMENT:

Making the Most of Every Opportunity What the Bible Says Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all you might; for there is no work, nor plan, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you go. Ephesians 5:15-17 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. What the Sages Say Time is the inexplicable raw material of everything. With it all is possible; without it, nothing. The supply of time is truly a miracle, an affair genuinely astonishing when one examines it. You wake up in the morning, and lo! Your purse is magically filled with twenty-four hours of the unmanufactured tissue of the universe of your life. It is yours. It is the most precious of possessions… no one can take it from you. It is unstealeable. And no one receives either more or less than you receive. In the realm of time, there is no aristocracy of intellect. Genius is never rewarded by even an hour a day. And there is no punishment. Waste your infinitely precious commodity as much as you will and the supply will never be withheld from you. Moreover, you cannot draw on the future. It is impossible to get into debt! You can only waste the passing moment. You cannot waste tomorrow; it is kept for you. I have said the affair is a miracle, is it not? You have these twenty-four hours of daily time to leave. Out of it you want to spin health, pleasure, money, contentment, respect, and the evolution of your immortal soul. Its right use, its most effective use is a matter of the highest urgency and of the most thrilling actuality. All depends on that. Your happiness – the elusive price that you are all clutching for, my friend – depends on that. If one cannot arrange that an income of twenty-four hours shall exactly cover all proper items of expenditure, one does muddle one’s whole life indefinitely. - Jim Rohn We shall never have any more time. We have, and we have always had, all the time there is. - Arnold Bennet Time is the most precious commodity we have. Therefore, how we manage it has the most profound effect on how our lives turn out. - Jim Rohn

THE WOMAN, THE ECONOMY & THE FAMILY

The Woman
The woman has often been described as “a man with a womb.” She is the specie of mankind whom by virtue of her peculiar physiological features (e.g. the womb) keeps the human race going.

The Role of the Woman in the Economy
The woman is the unseen influence behind every successful man in the society. Therefore, as the mother, the wife, the sister, the daughter, or a relative of the men at the corridors of power, the woman is better positioned to influence certain economic policies that will turn out in the best interest of all.

The woman, by virtue of her natural intuitiveness, is more equipped to pursue certain courses that will enhance the economy than the man who is usually more logical in reasoning and action.

The woman performs the dual role of a driver as well as a support system in the economy.

As a driver – the woman facilitates the economic chain through her enterprise in business and in the workplace. The woman also functions as a support system towards the growth and development of the economy.

The Role of the Woman in the Family
The woman is the pulse of the family. She is the one that dictates the tone and direction of the home. As the manager of the home, the woman wields considerable influence in the ultimate productivity and performance of members of her household in the larger society.

The woman is also the moulder of the character and attitude of members of her household and these inform their level of adaptation into and contributions to the society for good or otherwise.

The Character of Success

WHAT IS SUCCESS?

Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others. - John Maxwell

Success is not determined by acquisitions or opulence. It is the ultimate fulfilment of an identified purpose – grand or small – for the benefit of others, the glory of God, and the fulfilment of the person. - Babatunde Oladele

WRONG CONCEPTS OF SUCCESS

·                     Having money, riches and wealth

·                     Having many properties and assets

·                     Being popular and in the news at all times

·                     Having fleet of cars

·                     Having many children

·                     Marrying many wives

·                     Having many admirers

·                     Being a public figure

·                     Being the envy of everyone around etc

·                      

WHAT IS GOD’S CONCEPT OF SUCCESS?

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Thus says the LORD:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom. Let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me. That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD.

Joshua 1:8

This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

WHAT IS THE CHARACTER OF SUCCESS?

Success is fulfilling an identified personal life purpose with:

·                     The fear of God

·                     Integrity

·                     Sound Ethical Values

·                     A Sense of Mission

·                     Compassion

·                     Character

Success is nothing more than a few simple disciplines, practiced every day; while failure is simply a few errors in judgment, repeated every day. It is the accumulative weight of our disciplines and our judgments that leads us to either fortune or failure. - Jim Rohn

If you develop the habits of success, you will make success a habit. - Michael E. Angier

The common denominator of success lies in forming the habit of doing things that failure don’t like to do. - Albert Gray

THE ATTRIBUTES OF A VIRTUOUS WOMAN

She is trustworthy the heart of her husband safely trusts her; so, he will have no lack of gain. vs 11

She adds value to her husband She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. vs 12 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. vs 23

She is enterprising She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands. 

She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar. vs 13-14 

She considers a field and buys it; from her profits she plants a vineyard. vs 16 

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. vs 19 

She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet. vs 21 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants. vs 24

She takes care of her household and ensures that it is well run She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her maidservants. vs 15 

She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. vs 27

She constantly improves herself She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms. vs 17

She has a good sense of judgement She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night. vs 18

She is a generously person She extends her hand to the poor, yes; she reaches out her hands to the needy. vs 20

She takes good care of herself She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. vs 22

She is a woman of dignity Strength and honour are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come. vs 25

She is a gracious and affirmative speaker She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. vs 26

She raises an appreciative family Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "many daughters have done well, but you excel them all." vs 28-29

She fears God Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the lord, she shall be praised. vs 30

BENCHMARKS FOR DETERMINING A VIRTUOUS WOMAN

1. As a Daughter of her Parents

2. As a Wife

3. As a Mother

4. As a Child of God

5. As a Friend, Associate

6. As a Citizen of her Nation

7. As a Business/Career Person or Professional

FAR ABOVE RUBIES

REFERENCE SCRIPTURE PROVERBS 31: 10-21

1 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

2 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So, he will have no lack of gain.

3 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

4 She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.

5 She is like the merchant ships, she brings her food from afar.

6 She also rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

7 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.

8 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.

9 She perceives that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out by night.

10 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.

11 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

12 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household is clothed with scarlet.

13 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

14 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

15 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes for the merchants.

16 Strength and honour are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

17 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

18 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all."

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

CHOICES

REFERENCE SCRIPTURE Joshua 24:15: And if it seems evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. CHOOSING RIGHTLY

1. CHOOSING GOD (LIFE) Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before your life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live

2. CHOOSING THE KINGDOM Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Colossians 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hiding with Christ in God.

3. CHOOSING THE NEEDFUL & THE GOOD PART Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Luke 10:38-42 Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her therefore that she helps me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.