OPPORTUNITY FACTS

Having experienced diverse nature of opportunities, grabbing some, losing some, regretted some and glad for many, scared by some, desperate for some, abused some and applied some…I have realized certain facts about opportunities and their guise. These facts have really helped me in spotting some of my maximized opportunities. Read on. I bet they will usher you into a new horizon.

1. Every opportunity is for a purpose.

- Most opportunities come according to the desires of the individual; The law of attraction.

2. Opportunities should be prepared for.

- When opportunities are prepared for, they always end up spotted and maximized.

3. Watch out for and expect opportunities.

- If you are expecting opportunities, you will easily spot one as soon as it shows up.

4. Avoid places and people without opportunities.

- Ensure that you always analyze places and situations for prospective opportunities whenever you find yourself in one. With some work, this will easily spot opportunities for you.

5. One opportunity leads to another.

- Some opportunities come in the guise of reference and recommendations.

6. Opportunities can be created.

- So many ideas and innovations that are acted upon are created opportunities.

7. Be disciplined about opportunities.

- Diligently manage and use whatever opportunity you have at any point in time; because, anybody can replace you anytime if you don’t maximize it.

8. Know when to seek other opportunities.

- Don’t stay in a place when the season is over

9. Opportunities mostly come in the guise of challenges.

- There is an opportunity in almost every adversity.

10. One man’s problem is another man’s opportunity.

- There are always two sides to every situation; the troubled and the opportunity benefactor. Take time to meditate.

11. Opportunities mostly involve risks and sacrifices.

- Risk is a major key to success in life and business.

12. Opportunities come in cycles.

- Some opportunities come over and over again depending on their periods.

13. Many opportunities are waiting to be discovered and maximized.

- Look around and discover and innovate ideas and opportunities.

14. Procrastination hardly and rarely attracts opportunities.

- Delayed decisions due to procrastination always end up in missed opportunities.

15.  At every point in time, there are opportunities waiting to be grabbed.

- They do what they have to do whether it is convenient or not.

I believe you have been inspired by this article. I believe you have also realized a few hanging opportunities you are set to maximize now. Endeavour to master and practice these facts and make a mark in whatever career or business you choose.

Sotonye Minaibiye is an entrepreneur, a counselor, a motivator and an impact strategist. You can post your comments below but for questions, send it to macstands@gmail.com or visit www.macstands.blogspot.com and you will be on your way. GOODLUCK!

25 Common Ways to Influence People

1. Know What You Want

What is your purpose in influencing others? In order to persuade others, you must have the end in mind.

2. Communicate

Communication is the key to influence. Clear and effective communication will lead others to your view point.

3. Reason with them

Explain your position. Focus on the answer to their burning question: “What’s in it for me?”

4. Pay them well

Money is always a motivator, isn’t it? It may be the easiest and quickest way to get what you want, but it sure can get expensive.

5. Remain Consistent

Stay the course regardless of the direction of the wind. If you flip-flop, it’s a sure way to destroy any influence you might develop or developed.

6. Be the expert

Whether you like it or not, people respect authority figures. When you become the expert, you have the power of influence on your side.

7. Be Passionate

Passion, alone, can persuade others. You can be just the flame they need to light their fire.

8. Hypnotize

Not literally, but through your charm and speech patterns. Remember that people want to please someone they admire and respect.

9. Compromise

Getting someone to do what you want often involves communication and negotiation. This is where you can take the “I’ll scratch your back and you scratch mine” approach.

10. Listen

If you want to be able to influence people then you have to be able to listen. Active listening is part of effective communication, which is essential to influencing those around you.

11. Be Patient

It may take several tries to convince others, so be patient, yet persistent.

12. Brand Yourself

People love brand power; they love creativity. Innovation. If you can brand yourself as the go-to guy or gal, others will spread the word about you. That’s influence!

13. Respect

You’re more likely to be heard if you’re respectful of others.

14. Understand the Point of View

Demonstrate that your point of view also reflects their beliefs, too.

15. Be Likable

If you want to influence others, they have to like you. If you show a genuine interest in others and care about them, they usually will.

16. Show Confidence

If you speak with confidence, people will trust your advice. This makes it easier to influence others to see things your way.

17. Be Authoritative

Speak using powerful, emotionally charged words to persuade others.

18. Ask

It may seem silly, but sometimes just asking someone to do what you want can get them to do it. Just make sure you say “please” and “thank you.”

19. Use Scarcity

People assign more value to objects and opportunities that come in limited quantities. So don’t try to influence others too often. If you do, it won’t seem genuine.

20. Admit Your Mistakes

If you’re wrong, admit it. People will remember you as being fair and honest.

21. Highlight Common Interests

Find a thread of common interest and build from there.

22. Practice

Any chance you get, practice the technique of persuasion. Practice really does make perfect!

23. Research

Ensure you do proper research on facts and figures to back up your view as much as you can.

24. Be Positive

Influence others with a sunny disposition and bring them hope.

25. Get Endorsements

People love to follow the trends set by others. Get someone notable to endorse you and you’re sure to influence masses.

In all, practice these principles with honesty, integrity, and passion. I believe they will not just make u an impact but they bring you more business. Go on and become a master of influence! Goodluck!

Sotonye Minaibiye is an incisive writer, talent guide, a counselor, a motivator and an impact strategist. You can post your comments but for questions, send it to macstands@gmail.com or visit www.macstands.blogspot.com and you will be on your way. GOODLUCK!

5 SOURCES OF INNOVATION

INNOVATION! You see the word everywhere today, in business journals, magazines, books, on billboards and even on the internet. Everyone is talking innovation these days, because we are all competing to find the next big idea that will impact the world...and also create wealth for us.

But what does it take to be truly innovative? See, innovation is a bit different from creativity. While Creativity is the thinking of new ideas without taking them to the market place, Innovation is a bit different. It is a process which may or may not start with creative thinking. Innovation seriously desires to know "HOW?" and "WHY?” goes on to find out their answers (or solutions) and eventually create something different and new that may never have existed. Simple!

However, you still need to know where and when to ask “HOW?” and “WHY?” for you to be truly innovative. This is the reason why I brought you here to know these 5 sources of innovation that can help you get started into a new age; the age of INNOVATION. See you at the other side.

1.     Your Story

This is your number one source of innovation because you can easily use your story to affect and inspire the lives of people around you. You can also use it to create innovative products and services. If you read the book FROM COLLEGE DROPOUT TO CORPORATE SELLOUT, you will have an insight to what I am telling you. I am not saying you should go and write a book rather, you have something in your story that is the solution to many people’s situation. It can also be a corporate solution to many businesses and organizations. There is something in your story that may be in line with a new government policy (you never can tell). There is something unique about your story…that is invaluable and out of the obvious. Find it out!

 2.      Your Stand

Your stand is what you believe in, what you deeply and passionately WANT for yourself, for others, for the society and for the world. Your stand is your personal brand. Yes, and can also be a source of innovation for you. In history, the positive things people have stood for have created and shaped their lives and societies in diverse ways. I believe you too can be listed among these great people if you start something that will affect mankind; Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, David Oyedepo, Wole Soyinka, Sam Adeyemi, Fela Durotoye, et cetera.

 3.      Your Hobbies, Gifts and Skills

Your hobbies, gifts and skills will always make a path for your innovations if you will look deep into your inner person and take action. Your hobbies, gifts and skills are one of the best sources of innovative prowess available on earth. This is because they have always been within and around you and they have a higher tendency of adding positively to the lives of people around you and many others around the world. Remember, all these can happen with less effort and without a change to your lifestyle. They are ALL in you!

 4.      Your System

Everybody has a unique way of doing his/her own thing. Most times, these ways grow to become complete systems. These systems can either be small systems involving a few people or a large one involving a larger few. I believe you can create something innovative out of any unique system especially, if the system is yours. Who knows; some corporate organization is having a similar structure and is looking for someone to man the steer for them. Who knows; your system just might be the next big break to a persisting social need crying and begging for a solution. Who knows, you are close to an innovative breakthrough that will give you fulfillment or even make you shout “Eureka!”. Who knows?!

 5.      The Space You Naturally Occupy

In your life right now something is working, isn’t it? Yes, you are occupying a pivotal role in the lives of your family and close friends. People tend to see you as the go-to person for something; be it a good laugh, a clear perspective, a dose of reality, your idea of positive thinking, a high sense of constructive criticism or an idea generator or booster. We all occupy some 'roles' in our lives. Quite often the space you occupy holds a key to one of your innovative edges. Don’t look away from it because it possesses the capacity to affect and better lives. Yes, even your life.

Wow! Isn’t it inspiring? You have read it all and you can read it over again if you want. But, I believe you know what to do……Take time to meditate over these sources and be realistic to yourself. Ponder over it and see how it will make you feel; innovative. However, if you tried and could not see through yourself, courageously ask from a friend or a mentor figure as to what he/she thinks about the sources, and you will marvel at the response you will get.

My ADVICE: Stop chasing the abstract reality of a paid job, it is a Rat Race (according to Robert Kiyosaki in his book RICH DAD POOR DAD) Start something unique and worthwhile. We all have seeds of geniuses in all of us. One of mine is writing and creativity which is small compared to that which is being born in your mind. Start something innate today and who knows, we just might find you to be the next BIG GUN…like Facebook, Coscharis, McDonalds, Nairaland, Kanu Heart Foundation, Globacom, Visible Impact, Paris Club, eBay, Dangote and many other innovative groups and organizations that has being aiding and helping humanity to grow and move forward in different ways. I believe you are not an exception. Go! Start NOW!

Sotonye Minaibiye is an incisive writer, talent guide, a counselor, a motivator and an impact strategist. You can post your comments but for questions, send it to macstands@gmail.com or visit www.macstands.blogspot.com and you will be on your way. GOODLUCK!