5 Tips To find Your Personal Purpose

Invest some time in figuring out your real story and you'll be happier, less stressed and in the right job. By Richard Hytner

What’s your story? Your real story, I mean. Not some carefully curated version of yourself designed to impress friends on Facebook or to look more employable on LinkedIn, useful shortcuts though these social media provide to people wanting to get to know you.

The most authentic and enduring brands are built from the inside out. The least convincing, destined for a short shelf life, are those that believe they can communicate their way to greatness. That’s not branding, it’s spin, and people see that for what it is – manipulative, too good to be true, an over promise that the brand can only ever fail to deliver.

10 Women A Christian Man Should Avoid When Considering Marriage

“I have perceived among the youths, a young man lacking sense, passing along the street near her corner, taking the road to her house” (Proverbs 7: 7-8 )
Marriage - a lifetime covenant, an irrevocable oath recognized by GOD, man and spirits, separable only by death. With this truth in mind, a man has to be very careful and wise when considering marriage. And if you follow the counsel of GOD, HE will go before you to lead you to the right path.
NOTE: This is not a sexist post. It's only a guide for men intending to get married.
So here's the 10 women to avoid when considering marriage:

How do you lead a team across cultural divides?

Flash Forward: Looking back on Michaelmas term

 

The first term seemed to just happen, in the flashes of flashes. It has been a period of both getting settled into a new home and experiencing a unique curriculum that has given me invaluable insights into the makings of great leaders and managers.

 

Yet it has not been until well into the winter break that I have found the opportunity to reflect on the past few months. Before any of us realized, the first term was over, and we all dispersed to the far corners of the world; whether to visit familiar faces or discover new places. So now, chugging through the Slovakian countryside, journeying by train from Prague to Budapest, I am finally able to fully realize the extent of my learning in Michaelmas term.

Small Business Success Secrets of Aliko Dangote

What are the business success secrets of Aliko Dangote? How did Aliko Dangote become a billionaire and the richest black man in the world? Well, i advice you read on to find the answers you seek.

Culling from a popular quote that says “if you want to be rich and successful, observe what the rich are doing and do the same.” I don’t know how effective this strategy can be but I feel there is an atom of truth in that statement.

Today, I will be sharing with you some small business success secrets from one of my mentors; Aliko Dangote. This mentor of mine is extremely rich and has been ranked as the richest black man in the world by Forbes Magazine.

BEFORE YOU START A BUSINESS

Planning For Great Success.By Eburuche O C Banito

It had become a widespread reality that you do not have to have a degree or an MBA in business administration or management before you could successfully run a business; be it the small, medium or large scale.  Though, the principles of business success are rooted in books but they reality and practical applications of these principles are beyond the pages. So, do not be deceived. The reality is that you could even have a PhD in Business Management yet end up a branded failure. Let’s look at it this way, how many successful businesses are managed by business degree, MBA or PhD holders? Just think about it.

The power of RE: Mastering the power of "RE" at work and in our personal lives.

Over the holidays, I spent quite a bit of time thinking about a tiny word with giant implications. The word is “RE”. Strictly speaking it isn’t really a word at all, but a prefix derived from latin and meaning "back to the original place; again, anew, once more.”

I have been thinking about “RE” because it has come to play such an important role in our lives. Modern society, and popular culture in particular, has become obsessed with a quest to re-invent our world. This has resulted in the disruption and restructuring of entire industries - from publishing and entertainment to financial services, travel, and education. Blue Chip corporations and Silicon Valley start-ups alike are obsessed with re-imagining every aspect of our lives. But this pre-occupation with “RE” is not limited to business and technology. Look a little deeper, and you will find evidence of “RE” in almost every

AAYMCA Statement: Farewell son of Africa

The Africa Alliance of YMCAs today are united in grief as we mourn the loss of a

true African visionary, former South African President, Rolihlahla

“Nelson” Mandela. As a young boxer, Mandela would frequently train at his local

Soweto YMCA. During this time the centre was frequently used for

ANC political meetings, serving as a safe place for discussions which would

ultimately shape Mandela’s young mind, and South Africa’s future.

Decades later, his influence is still felt within those historic walls as youth

continue to visit the centre and shape their own thinking and

development.

Mandela led South Africa through her greatest challenge, ensuring that the

revolutionary end to institutionalised discrimination and repression,

Apartheid, was met with relatively little conflict and welcomed with a determined

spirit of peace and reconciliation.

While the world will feel the loss of such a remarkable man, Africans have lost a

leader who steadfastly worked to prove that the continent is capable

of peaceful conflict resolution through leadership that aspires to moral honesty,

tolerance and acceptance.

Born on 18 July, 1918, to the Madiba clan of Mvezo in the Transkei, Mandela spent

much of his life striving to educate himself and standing in

political opposition to an unjust system. His stand against seemingly insurmountable

prejudice is a cause for which he sacrificed much in the face of

great threat to his life and freedom. Following a conviction for sabotage and

conspiracy to overthrow the government, Mandela spent 27 years in

prison, but throughout this time maintained a strong loyalty to peaceful resistance

and the unconditional repealing of the Apartheid system. Following

his release in 1990, Mandela guided South Africa through her first democratic

elections and stepped in as South Africa’s first African statesman

when he shouldered the presidency in 1994. Perhaps his most significant contribution

to African politics is the implementation of South Africa’s

first constitution which is perceived world-wide as one of the most forward thinking

constitutions in global governance today.

Since then, Mandela has received more than 250 awards, many for his humanitarian

work, including the US Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Soviet

Order of Lenin. His work has been internationally recognised through his awarding of

the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize which he shares with former Apartheid

president F.W. de Klerk.

The contribution Mandela played in African politics will forever stretch far beyond

the current South African landscape. His legacy to Africa is true

leadership that is both thoughtful and honest but does not prize retribution and

corruption. Mandela ensured that the African Renaissance has a

framework for peaceful conflict resolution and that in all things, human rights

becomes a principle of long-lasting social evolution.

We mourn together as Africans, in much the same way that we celebrated together the

achievements that Madiba brought through his actions. We are a

better continent today through his determination, sacrifice and unflinching faith in

an Africa capable of peaceful change.

Nelson Mandela never wavered in his devotion to democracy, equality and learning.

Despite terrible provocation, he never answered racism with racism.

His life has been an inspiration to all who are oppressed and deprived, to all who

are opposed to oppression and deprivation.

Mandela is survived by his wife, Graca Machel, 3 children, Pumla Makaziwe Mandela,

Zenani Dlamini and Zindzi Mandela, 17 grand-children and 14

great-grandchildren.

Our thoughts also go to the extended family of his late former wife Evelyn Mase and

his former wife Winnie Madikizela.

As we mourn our deep loss, let us pledge to ensure that Mandela’s legacy lives

through us and that our children are able to fully appreciate the

freedoms he and his peers fought so hard to attain.

Carlos Sanvee, AAYMCA General Secretary

Sipho Sokhela, South Africa YMCA National General Secretary

The Africa Alliance of YMCAs (AAYMCA) is a leading pan African youth development

network on the continent, representing national movements in 20

countries, 16 of which are very active. The first YMCA in Africa was established in

Liberia in 1881, and the AAYMCA was founded in 1977 as the

umbrella body for all national movements on the continent. www.africaymca.org

Women’s Idea of the Perfect Man Changes Drastically as They Age, Survey Says

Have you ever looked back at an ex-boyfriend and asked, how did I ever date that person when we were so obviously incompatible?

It's not necessarily that you were incompatible...then. According to a survey conducted by Match.com over the past year, your tastes have simply changed over the years.

Is your family keeping you single?
Men must possess certain qualities to be considered "the perfect man," and those parameters change drastically as women age. In the survey, called "The Ages of Man," what women want from their relationships with men is broken down according to age range.

The Most Important Choice

It Is Up To You

Every day, every minute, every hour, we are faced with choices. Most are minor, but some are the most important decisions we will make in our lives. How do we make the right choices? Today, Jason Leister gives you some guidance.

Craig Ballantyne

"The most important things to know in life take a lifetime to learn. Our first lessons come early -- but we grasp only the surface. As we gain life experience we gain deeper understanding. All great truths are both simple and complex, easy to understand yet difficult to master. "- Mark Ford

---

Ask Yourself These Three Questions

Doing Business

All else being equal, we want to do business with people that we know, like, and trust. That's a pretty simple equation for success, and it's amongst the easiest factors to control in your business and career. Today, you'll discover three simple questions from my friend Bedros that will get you on the right track to adding this magic quality to your life and success journey.

Craig Ballantyne

"One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble their way through life, never deciding to master anything in particular." - Tony Robbins

LeBron James at the mall in Orlando

Why don't we appreciate what we have. We do not recognise our own but we fantasise about celebrities abroad who care  less about us. Just as a prophet is not appreciated in his country so is a Nigerian celebrity who we go all the way just to buy their movies or albums.

This might not be the fault of the passers by as some of them at some point or the other would have been embarassed by these celebrities, we feel too highly of ourselves and see how lowly it has gotten us. This is just food for for thought. Treat others how you want to be treated.

The Foods and Drinks Jesus Likely Consumed

Over the last several years, with the increasing interest in eating and living healthier, the question about what Jesus might have eaten has become a popular topic of speculation. In some instances we can discover the foods Jesus ate by reading the Bible. For example, Luke 24:41-43 states “And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.” However, this is one of the rare passages in the Bible actually showing us the types of food and drink Jesus consumed. However, historians and archeologists have made educated guesses based on the foods known to grow in the geographical area and on customs and beliefs during the life of Jesus. The list of foods and beverages below are some of the ones many believe Jesus likely ate in his lifetime.

• Pomegranates
• Fish
• Honey
• Olive Oil and Olives
• Grapes
• Vinegar
• Figs
• Lamb

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/Healthy-Living/10-Foods-and-Drinks-Jesus-Likely-Consumed.aspx?p=9

Tummy Work Out Tips

‘To get a noticeably flatter stomach within a month, do this workout three times a week. Start off with three sets of 10 to 15 reps of each move, building up to 20 reps as you get fitter,' says Flavia. 'If you're a runner or you do a lot of cardio exercise, try to fit in one circuit of these moves at the end of your workout, as it will strengthen your core and help you to run better.'

The core strengthener

An oldie but a goodie, the plank is the move to perfect if you want a solid core.

1. Lie face down, resting your forearms and hands on the floor. Your legs should be straight.

2. Lift your stomach off the floor, keeping your back fl at and straight, head facing the floor and your weight in your toes and forearms.

3. Pull your stomach muscles in tight and hold for between 30 to 60 seconds. Aim for three repetitions.

The tummy tightener

Words "viral" and "epic" consigned to college trash

This story might be epic, and could even go viral, but not if Lake Superior State University has anything to do with it. Just sayin.'

The small college in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, released on Friday its annual list of "banished words" -- terms so overused, misused and hackneyed they deserve to be sent to a permanent linguistic trash can in the year ahead.

"Viral," often used to describe the rapid spreading of videos or other content over the Internet, leads the list for 2011.

"This linguistic disease of a term must be quarantined," Kuahmel Allah of Los Angeles said in making a nomination.

Runners-up included "epic" and "fail," often twinned to describe a blunder of monumental proportions.

A total of 14 words were on the list.

Cliched terms such as "wow factor," "a-ha moment," "back story" and "BFF" (Best Friends Forever) rated highly. The very au courant use of "Facebook" and "Google" as verbs got a thumbs down as well.

As usual, election-cycle zingers and catchwords quickly look as worn out as last year's campaign posters.

In that vein, voters suggested the banning of "Mama Grizzlies," used to describe right-wing female politicians in the mold of Sarah Palin, and "man up," famously used by Nevada Republican Senate candidate Sharon Angle in a testy debate with Democrat Harry Reid and a favorite Palin expression as well.

"A stupid phrase when directed at men. Even more stupid when directed at a woman, as in 'Alexis, you need to man up and join that Pilates class!'" said Sherry Edwards of Clarkston, Michigan.

LSSU began its popular list in 1976, when it named "at this point in time," as substituted for the concise and elegant "now," as a linguistic dud. The college now receives well over 1,000 nominations each year through its website, lssu.edu/banished.

Previous winners and nominees include the terms "shovel ready" for 2010, "battleground states" for 2005, "24/7" for 2000 and "family values" for 1995.

(Reporting by Ros Krasny; Editing by Jerry Norton)

Black parents... white baby!

THE stunned black dad of a newborn, WHITE, baby girl declared yesterday — "I'm sure she's my kid ... I just don't know why she's BLONDE."

British Nmachi Ihegboro has amazed genetics experts who say the little girl is NOT an albino. 

Dad Ben, 44, a customer services adviser, admitted: "We both just sat there after the birth staring at her."

Mum Angela, 35, of Woolwich, South London, beamed as she said: "She's beautiful - a miracle baby."

Ben told yesterday how he was so shocked when Nmachi was born, he even joked: "Is she MINE?" 

Little 'miracle' ... Nmachi Ihegboro

He added: "Actually, the first thing I did was look at her and say, 'What the flip?'"

But as the baby's older brother and sister - both black - crowded round the "little miracle" at their home in South London, Ben declared: "Of course she's mine."

Blue-eyed blonde Nmachi, whose name means "Beauty of God" in the Nigerian couple's homeland, has baffled genetics experts because neither Ben nor wife Angela have ANY mixed-race family history.

Pale genes skipping generations before cropping up again could have explained the baby's appearance.

Ben also stressed: "My wife is true to me. Even if she hadn't been, the baby still wouldn't look like that.Recovery