Enter 2010!

If you look at what is happening around you and what is happening to you, you may think to yourself, “is there any reason to be happy?” You probably think your life is not so great right now and despite the entire hullabaloo about the new year, your future looks quite dark and bleak. So what’s there to be glad about? I am going to share a few tips on how you can turn your life around. Now this is not some theory but something that I learnt from actual experience and practice. On the first of January 2009, I wasn’t just at the bottom of the barrel, the barrel was on top of me. However, I look back now and I see very obvious changes and I can say that my life has become a lot better in the last 365 days.

Look for the good in your situation. Now this may sound foolish but it is the first step towards recovery from a fall. Think about the job loss as an opportunity for you to really pursue what you love doing. There is this common saying that when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade. But to make lemonade, you need sugar. So look out for the good in your situation, that’s the sugar, add to the situation and viola…you have lemonade!

Enter the matrix. Some of us would have watched the movie, The Matrix. There in the matrix, you are only limited by your imagination. The greatest power that we humans have is the power of our imagination, but unfortunately, we use very little of it.

And the Lord said, Behold, they are one people and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do, and now nothing they have imagined they can do will be impossible for them – Gen 11:6 (AMP)

Now is the time to let your imagination loose. Plug into the matrix and think of what can be. Now I said, you are only limited by the borders of your imagination not your qualifications, your age, your sex etc. In the matrix, you can be and do anything. Now you may ask, what happens when you wake up? What happens you return back to the reality of your hovercraft.

Dreams are like stars…you may never touch them, but if you follow them they will lead you to your destiny

The thing about dreaming is that it revitalizes your passion and motivation, and in the process, your creativity is energized so that sooner than you think, you will come up with a breakthrough idea that will change your position.

Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today – James Dean

Define your destination. One of the results of the dream process is that you will see some possibilities. Now take a pen and write them out. Don’t just leave them in your memory or else they will fade away. Write down these destinations and plot all the possible paths towards these. Now paste these Goals somewhere where you can see them. Take a look at them in the morning and before you go to bed. In fact, paste it by your bedside or on your dressing mirror. Now a word of advice, don’t try to limit the size of your goals because of the situation around or your present resources. Write it down as you want it, or better still as you imagined it.

What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve – Napoleon Hill

Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the sea and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him. For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it] – Lord Jesus Christ

Get on the bus. Now that you have your destination spelt out and the paths plotted, get on the bus towards them. Take action. Do something. It may be small and insignificant but start something. Once you start, you will initiate a chain reaction that will eventually lead you to your destination. Sometimes your first attempt may not be all that encouraging but keep trying at it. Don’t let go and don’t give up!

Honour God. This is the foundation for all success. With men, some things are impossible. But with God, all things are possible. You have to be totally devoted to God and you will see His hand on you. Perhaps, your destination will not eventually lead you to the place of rest. When you honour God, He will lead you down the right path.

You, LORD, are my shepherd. I will never be in need. You let me rest in fields of green grass. You lead me to streams of peaceful water, and you refresh my life. You are true to your name, and you lead me along the right paths – Psalm 23:1-3 (CEV)

Be grateful. While you are expecting to have things turn around, be grateful to God for the way things are. It could have been worse. Also, continually thank Him for the place where you are going. Praise Him night and day for this and you will unleash the forces of heaven on your behalf. Remember the case of Jehoshaphat.

Keep dreaming. Now when it seems as if you are losing focus amidst the many things facing you, hook back into the matrix and let your imagination fly again. And remember this –

The whole world steps aside for the man who knows his God, himself and where he is going – Dotun Akanji