The Dots

Its important to connect the dots,before the whole picture comes together.The picture could be bad,so connecting the dots some time in advance,allows some time to adjust.

The following were the dots in my life.The turning points if you life.Signs that caught my attention.The whispers in my ear,before the fridge dropped on my head.You gotta listen to the whispers though,listen to the whispers and avoid a fridge dropping on your head.

Here are my dots:

1)I didnt have a career choice,and my cousin mentioned Industrial Engineer as a possible career.His reason was no one else in my family was one.
2)On hearing I wanted to be an Industrial Engineer,my principal told me I was more of a social science person.Maybe he was right,though,at the time,I thought he was undermining me.Its good and sufficient to just be a social person,a networker,a people´s person.People in these fields are teachers,sometimes nurses,sometimes psychologists...Bottom line is they serve people,why I rejected the notion at the time was a distorted view and appreciation of what a calling is.
3)After a guidance teacher blocked many of my bursary applications,I got one with a state owned company.In the end,this company was supportive and didnt drop me when I didnt pass all the courses. This was unlike the other sought after private companies.
4)While employed in my first job,I felt a great need to fight a lot.To fight for resources,to fight for training,to fight for recognition...then I got a job with a multinational,and this job took me places and showed me enormous confidence.They also invested in me.Wow,in the end I didnt have to fight.Sometimes we dont have to fight,for everything or some things in particular.Its important to recognise these,¨dont fight for me things¨in relationships,jobs,businesses .If yo have to fight for them,then these interactions lack the basic minimum ¨has to be there already¨items for me to become part of that environment.
5)An attractive,well punted job falls into the traps of bureacracy and internal politics.I knew that this scene,this script and I had seen it all before.I decide,I have to start drawing my own picture,building my own well and directing my own life story of success.I have to start now.
6)A potential sponsor sends me and a former partner away with a to-do list on our internet business proposal.I maintain contact with this business owner,and he introduces me to blogging.Since then my life has erupted with bigger fire that the most active volcano present.
7)Bloggind,internet marketing,people businesses,financial independence...words,concepts I heard before,all are coming together.There is lots of information,but in divergence I have already started seeing the potential for convergence.These trends depends and are built on knowledge of people(PSYCHOLOGY),on able,direct well-managed communicating (MARKETING),on emerging markets (WEB 2.0,social networks)....On taking advantage of massive audiences,communities,networks,groups (facebook,myspace etc.

Well,for now...INVICTUS

PAELLA IN MADRID

Sunday afternoon in a bar/restaurant of Paella.

First day of the rest of my life...

Tomorrow is...First day of the rest of my life.This is not only because tomorrow is the first of the month.Its also because,today I have lived today,realising I could still do more.The sales effort was a good second step in my MLM business.Selling can be intimidating.Therefore you can imagine the compounded nervousness of selling in one´s third language.To add excitement to this mix,there was a downline monitoring this process.My downline member is an expert in the sales of these particular products.I learnt a whole lot from him.The lessons are a combination of read material and simply going for it knowing people reject the psoduct not the seller.Another great illustration to focus on is to adopt the statistical knoledge of Metro artsists.They play instrumenys or sing in the true understanding the statistical application of probability that maybe not one,not two and not 10 people wont sponsor their efforts with change,but the leventh person will.They understand they might sing their hearts out and only to have the whole coach not offer them their silver coins,but the next coach probably will.Therefore it just boils down to how much a person wants to triumph.What is it,that makes me function in these environments of zero comfort,what is it that will allow me to take the next step with my chest out and head up after a potential client has curtly shut me up as I started to introduce myself.¨WHAT IS IT???I¨Les Brown the answer to this simple question is compelling,then the human spirit can endure and overcome.

Check out the following brief points about selling and marketing.

Selling Yes-Yes:

• Sell benefits,not products



• Minimise selling risk

Selling No-No´s

• Nobody wants to be sold

Favourite Poem

The following is one of my favourite poems.It talks of something with eternal shelf-life in our lives.It inspires humbleness.It invokes letting go.I learnt this poem in high school.Its still relevant today.One can never learn enough forgiveness.The action word is learning,because we learn the most when we do or act.And forgiveness has most meaning when we learn it through doing.This way we learn it most personally.And the most struggle is to forgive oneself.To submit.To repent.To start over.To relearn.Here is the poem below.It has deep Christian meaning.When Someone loves so much,when Someone loves you so much,How can you love yourself less.How could you give up on yourself?How can you throw away your dreams?How can you say you cannot?If Someone so powerful,so resourceful,omnipotent take you back so lovingly in His protection.Then this is Love I want to keep alongside me.I want to teach my heart to accept this Grace.His mercy,His Love.


Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lack'd anything.
"A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here";
Love said, "You shall be he."
"I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear,
I cannot look on thee."
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
"Who made the eyes but I?"
"Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame
Go where it doth deserve."
"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"
"My dear, then I will serve."
"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."
So I did sit and eat.
-- George Herbert

¿Why?

Why believe in dreams?
Why work for your dreams?
Why try harder at relationships?
Why choose happiness?
Why stay away from negativity?
Why be yourself?
Why?

Because...

I hope it becomes this simple.Like second nature,because!

De Madrid al Cielo (From Madrid to Heaven)

Eleven things I like about Madrid in the summer (In no particular order):

1.In the summer,most employers change to shorter working hours (8am to 3pm)

2.The culture of terrazas in the afternoon/early evening breeze

3.The tapas variety.

4.The calming and cooling fountains in plazas and parks

5.Summer sports (volleyball,basketball and soccer) and cultural activities(concerts,festivals)

6.Refreshing chilled drinks like sangria and clara

7.Summer fanatism from the couch (Tour de France,Mercedes Cup,Grand Prix,Spanish soapies)

8.Less traffic,fewer cars,hustle and bustle of the city,near-empty tubes at peak hours

9.Sun,sand and shades if you can take a holiday

10.Longer days...the sun sets at 9:30pm

11.Fashionistas and other fantabulousness that stirs all 5 senses

See Madrid here

Smile you are in Spain

Deciding not to make a decision

Im sure you have come accross the expression,not making a decision is making a decision in itself.In one of my previous blogs I lamented from a sort of paralysis.Well,I was glad to find out that this was self-induced.This way I know I am the cause,and have a better idea of how to mobillise myself than for instance if the cause was external.

This finding is important to me for many reasons.One of them simply being breaking the cycle of procrastination.Its easier to get impatient with otheer people´s indecision but excuse your own.Then the expression,¨bite the bullet¨comes into play.The need to persevere and be consistent in our methods.The resolution to fortify our minds.This in the form of what we feed our minds and souls.Mental nutrition initiates and develops self-confidence.It has no place for fear and low self-esteem.Then the next step is mental fitness.How well you handle crisis,challenges.Analogous to physical activity,mental fitness is gained from allowing oneself to reach and surpass the threshhold of negativity,stress triumphantly.This does not happen overnight.Like all things worth having,it takes time to develop.Many situations will test it.Some of the signs of mental fitness include consistency,discipline and dedication.


I happened to get my periodic newsletter from a renowned internet marketer on the same topic.I like the way he lays it all out.Here is the piece from Stephen Pierce on this issue:

¨I tend to relish my "Results Addiction" while it seems most people I meet around the world suffer from severe"Information Intoxication."Information Intoxication is about the chasing, buying storing and hoarding of information in the form of books,newsletter subscriptions, courses, seminars, webinars,etc.You become intoxicated by the experience of buying that new piece of software or that new course that just launched or joining that new membership site.But you suffer from "action paralysis." Which means you're greatest and most intense emotions are attached tothe acquisition of new information and not the implementation of it.You find yourself to be a great buyer of informationby a lousy user and implementer of it.You say you suffer from information overload but you continue to buy new stuff and remain trapped in the pincers of knowing -vs- doing.

Information overload is a myth. A myth that if you buy into it can destroy your future?Why?Because all wars are information wars. And you can never have too much information to win.All things being considered, the difference between success and failure can be traced back to having the right information at the right time and exploiting it fast.Would you ever hear a General in the Military say "that's too much information on our enemies."Would Warren Buffet ever say "that's too much informationon that company I'm considering investing in?"No way.Why is that?Because information the "heart beat" of strategic advantage and being competitive.Right now your way of handling information may look like this.
1. Receive it.
2. Open it.
3. Read it.
4. Store or delete it.

Those days are over.So here are "7 Steps to Information Mastery" that you can use to thrive in this world where we have an abundance of information.
1. Develop a system for gathering information.
2. Have a way of filtering the info to weed out the irrelevantand extract only that which contributes to your priorities.
3. Have a way of condensing, prioritizing and indexing your info.
4. Interpret and translate the information via an evaluationand analysis process.
5. Turn the information into actionable strategies, tactics and/or techniques.
6. Use the information in a timely fashion.
7. Measure the impact.

You see, the issue is NOT an overabundance of information,it's more of a systems issue in being able to manage information.The real value of information is not found in what's written it's located in the impact it has on your priorities when you use it.You can have the winning lottery number written down, however it's useless if you didn't play the number.

God Bless YOU and YOURS,Stephen Pierce¨

Check these out:

Take a quiz: http://www.getaltitude.com/freebusinessquiz/

http://www.mentalnutrition.com/

100 THINGS ABOUT ME

1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed?

(It depends!!)

2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels?

YES!

3. Have you ever stolen a street sign before?

Not quite...It had fallen off the side of the road,and it said rabbit hunting area.It was for the cause:)
4. Do you like to use post-it notes?

For their purpose
5. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them?

Yes.
7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of bees?

I dont fancy either - but, a big bear I suppose!
8. Do you always smile for pictures?

If I know they are being taken - yes, always.
10. What is your biggest pet peeve?

Prejudiced people
11. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out?

Tucked out.
13. Have you ever peed in the woods?

NO!
14. Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing?

Yes
15. Do you chew your pens and pencils?

No. I used to at school though.
16. Do you like popcorn from those big tins?

I havent seen tins of popcorn. I havent eaten popcorn for a year though.
17. What is your "song of the week"?

Get to know ya-Maxwell (Though yesteryear,its still IT)
18. Is it okay for guys to wear pink?

Each to their own - It can work on ubersexual guys
19. Do you still watch cartoons?

Not now - I wish I had more time (I still like baby food,does that count:)
20. How do you usually splash out cash?
On travelling,on food and on gifts
21. What do you drink with dinner?
Mostly with red wine

24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in?
Jalapeno sauce
25. What are your favorite foods/cuisine?

Foie gras,paella,calamares,pulpo,onion soup,shawarma,hommos...Meditterenean and Arabic
26. What movies could you watch over and over and still love?

Gladiator,A beautiful mind,Catch a fire,The color of paradise,Crouching tiger hidden dragon
27. Were you ever a boy/girl scout?
Yes-In my boarding high school days.Made pom-poms etc
29. Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine?

No.
30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper?

Mmm,in 6 years...except postcards,does resignation count?;)


31. Can you change the oil on a car?

No
32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket?

No - but I dont drive!
33. Ran out of gas?

I have been in the car when other people have run out of petrol - but I dont drive.

34. Favorite kind of sandwich(s)?

Pavo y queso(turkey and cheese)
35. Best thing to eat for breakfast?

Kellogs Special K (cereal) & Fruit Salad
36. What is your usual bedtime?

Usually 1am
37. Are you lazy?

Sometimes.
39. Do you remember you first Email Address?

No;(

40. How many languages can you speak?

3 plus 3 dialects
41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions?

No.
42. legos or Lincoln logs?

Lego bricks! I dont know what Lincoln Logs are!
43. Are you stubborn?

Yes!
44. TV Show or drama?

Bophelo ke semphekgo,Boston Law,The Practice
45. Ever watch soap operas?

Now,nope...in my teenage days yes.
46. Afraid of heights?

Terrified,petrified and mortified by heights!!!
47. Sing in the car?

No.
48. Dance in the shower?

No.
49. Dance in the car?

No.
50. Ever used a gun?

No,though guns dont kill people

51. Best thing on the net?


Search engines,social networks,marketing websites...
52. How often do you do an image makeover?
Not often enough...Clothe maketh man

53. Is Christmas stressful?

Yes - but it can be lots of fun too!
54. Ever eat a pierogie?

I dont know what that is.
55. Favorite fruit pie?

Apple.
56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid?

Actuary,TV presenter,doctor,Chartered Accountant
57. Do you believe in ghosts?

No
58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling?

Yes - lots!

58. Ever have a Deja - vu feeling?

Lol!
59. Take a vitamin daily?

Attempt to,daily.
60. Wear slippers?

Yes -At home,out of my work clothes,to laze around.
61. Crunchy or Smooth?

Smooth
62. What do you wear to bed?

Depends -
63. First concert?

Brian McKnight,Foxy Brown,112,
64. Carrefour,Eroski,Dia,Sabeco,El Corte Ingles?
Dia and Sabeco


65. Nike or Adidas?

Nike
66. Cheetos Or Fritos!

Cheetos
67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds?

Sunflower seeds
68. Ever hear of, "gorp"?

No.
69. Ever take dance lessons?

No,would like to.Especially Salsa and Tango
70. Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing?

Entrepeneur,business oriented...
71. Can you curl your tongue?

Yes.
72. Ever won a spelling bee?

No.
73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy?

Mmm,maybe
74. Own any record albums?

No
75. Own a record player?

No.
76. Do you burn incense?

Sometimes
77. Ever been in love?

YES!
78. Who would you like to see in concert?

Ringo Madlingozi,The Roots,Yolanda Adams,India Arie
80. Hot tea or cold tea?

Hot tea.
81.Tea or coffee?

TEA(Rooibos or mint).

83. Can you swim well?

I cant swim.
84. Can you hold your breath w/o manually holding your nose?

Yes.
85. Are you patient?

Sometimes.
86. DJ or band, at a wedding?

DJ.
88. Ever have plastic surgery?

No.
89. Which are better black or green olives?

Black olives.
90. Can you knit or crochet?

I can barely knit.
91. Best room for a fireplace?

Bedroom
92. Do you want to get married?

Yes!
93. Who do you resemble much in your family?

My dad
94. Who was your HS crush?
Oh,oh...
95. Do you cry and throw a fit to get your own way?

No.I was inspired by ¨dont lose your temper here,we have no time to look for it`
96. Do you have kids?

No
97. Do you want kids?

Sometimes yes
98. What’s your favorite color?

Blue
99. Do you miss anyone right now?

Yes.
100. Who do you want to see right now?

Loved ones in my home country

Who am I today?

How often are we true to ourselves?Are we giving out who we are,or are we constantly being moulded by everything outside of ourselves.Try to listen to your thoughts today,see how far they take you...

I read about two people in particular,who wanted to stop even though everything looked so good material-wise,they were at dizzy heights of success.Im talking in particular of Lauryn Hill and Dave Chapelle.They both were both offered more fame and wealth over true artistic identity and freedom to be themselves. Dave Chapelle was walked away from 50million dollars while Lauryn Hill left public domain to celebrate herself.

I want to celebrate myself today,on my way to celebrating many more things I will offer in the future as I discover my potential...

Post Drought

I have been going through a writer´s block and information overload. I could not process all of it.I felt I was not charged enough to share anything.Anyway,this weekend was very productive for me.I did everything on my to do list,including two things that scare me.One of them was a direct selling campaign with local businesses.After the fourth local business visit,excitement grew from initial fear(of rejection mostly,even though intellectually I know people reject the product or service not the seller)!Well,this week is filled with more commercial excitement.Today,I will take a learning tour with one of my downlines,who has been super successful selling a multiuse product.Then Tuesday its off to a concert in the city.One of the summer activities.I hope I can still find time to ball...
Invictus.
Talk soon!