Prisoner of Attitude

"Thinking is responsible for man's primacy on earth today. Existence is therefore co-terminus with thinking. The ability to out-think the other fellow, a friend or a foe, is the pathway to victory and success in life." - Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe in his book 'Renascent Africa.'

I am an incurable optimist. I believe that with faith, hope, hard work, perseverance and persistent, we can achieve all our desired goals and aspirations in life. I believe that to everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the sun, and when the time and season comes we must make the best use of it. I believe that we must put in our best in everything and leave the rest to God. I believe that life is not all that bed of roses because if life were all one unbroken symphony of success, success would itself become boring and as agonising as adversity.

I believe that we must go through some sort of pains, travails, disappointments and tear-filled experiences to make us grow in our faith. I believe God loves all of us and hates nobody, because the thought God has for us are thoughts of peace and not evil, to give us a future and a hope.

Finally, I believe that God gives each and everyone of us talents and opportunities and how we make use of them determines what we become in life. There are certain things God will not do for us because He has given us the intelligence to care for ourselves. But this is a matter of individual's choice because freedom of choice has been the backbone of human race in a given society; either in a supportive or non-supportive environment. Sometimes the environment never made us a prisoner but we are prisoners of our attitude and our thinking. Some of us have a negative attitude to life; hence we refuse to make use of our talents and the various opportunities that come our ways in life.

Keem Bello-Osagie is one of the most respected Nigerians of his generation who became the Chairman of United Bank of Africa (UBA) at a relatively young age. When he was asked in a recent interview the secret of his success and the moving factor, he said: "Each person is given a set of talents by God and it is your responsibility to develop those talents to the very maximum. Talent is important but opportunity is equally important and I must say I've been lucky to have had opportunities and I've tried to make the best use of the opportunities."

The question is: Have we made use of the talents and the opportunities God bestowed on us? What choice are we making in life? Our yesterday determines today. Today, we are the products of what we did or neglected yesterday. If you continue to do what you did yesterday today, I mean if you maintain the status quo, then the future is predictable, and for the most part, the future is not bright because if we keep doing what we always do, we will keep getting the same thing we have always gotten.

So many people believe that if God wanted them to be successful, He will make them successful. What they don't know is that what God does is to give you everything that will make you successful: wisdom, talents, resources, people, opportunities, time etc, it is how you make use of these gifts from God and the choices you make that will determine your success in life.

From our fingerprints to our thoughts pattern, each one of us is a unique creature; although behavioural research shows that people fall into two general categories. In their book, "Relax, Dealing with Stress", Authors Watts & Coppers call these categories internal and external to show how much parental influence affects our ability to direct our lives.

According to Watts & Copper: "Internals are people who see themselves as having control over events and the choices they make. An internal is likely to have come from a background that valued individuality, encouraged a healthy degree of risk-taking and experimentation, viewed change with curiosity and excitement and taught how to approach disappointment in a constructive way. As a result, internals learn to trust talents, judgement and ideas. Crucially, they form the conviction that their life will be what they decide to make it. Externals, on the other hand, tend to feel that other people, the environment and circumstances outside themselves, decide their lives. They might have been subjected to constant criticism, or surrounded by an atmosphere that expected failure."

I believe in the principle of cause and effect, which says that for every effect in our lives, there is a specific cause. We have the ability to control the causes and change the effects to any thing we want. It depends on the choices we make. Our thoughts and attitudes are the primary causes of the conditions of effects in our lives and if we wish our lives to be different in the future, we have to change our thinking in the present.

In the spiritual law, it is called the principle of sowing and reaping. Our harvest in life is based solely on the seed that we have sown. Therefore we are the reason we are where we are. In my native law, according to my mother (Florence), the principle is 'as you lay your bed so you lie on it.'

Life is what we make out of it. Nobody can live it for us except ourselves. The acceptance of total responsibility for our lives is the hallmark of maturity in human beings. The acceptance of responsibility means that from then on in life, we have no more excuses. Walter Begehot opined that "it is often said that men are ruled by their imagination, but it would be truer to say that they are governed by the weakness of their imagination." We learn from our mistakes and mistakes of others. Ebino Topsy affirmed that "those who do not learn from history are doomed to relive it."

By accessing our strengths and using them, we can establish an outlook that is both positive and dynamic. Make things happen rather than waiting passively to see what 'fate and destiny' delivers to our door. When we make commitments to better our condition emotionally, intellectually, mentally and spiritually we are making a lifetime resolution and bidding bye to being a prisoner of attitude.

Dayo Olomu is a UK-based Motivational Speaker, Writer, Business/Life Coach, Trainer, Media Entrepreneur and Competent Toastmaster. His core belief is that we are all endowed with seeds of greatness, and his mission is to help individuals and organisations achieve their full potentials. He is the author of best selling "4 Indispensable Strategies for Success" and the President of Croydon Communicators Toastmasters. Get his FREE monthly Rise to the Top ezine by sending a blank email to subscribe@dayoolomu.com or visit his website at: subscribe@dayoolomu.com

executive chauffeured services Bradford .. Madison to Airport car
In The News:

Getting virus alerts on your iPhone? Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson helps you learn how to handle fake scam alerts and boost security.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says opening emails is safe, but risks arise from interacting with links, attachments or HTML content.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals four signs of compromised Social Security numbers and offers five steps to protect yourself.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how MAB Robotics' Honey Badger 4.0, a versatile robot, now walks underwater with amphibious skills.
An updated Android trojan called FakeCall hijacks bank calls. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says Android phone manufacturers and Google need to step up their game on security.
The Massimo Modular E9 is a sleek, smart and comfy tiny home in 409 square feet. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson takes a closer look at what the future of housing might look like.
Every stock trader should consider a virtual private network to safeguard their trading, according to tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson.
Apple recently announced its new lineup of Macs and rolled out Apple Intelligence, its latest artificial intelligence-powered feature for its products.
A Swiss-engineered robot can climb ladders, showing why it's at the cutting edge of autonomous robotic solutions for harsh industrial settings.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson presents the cities targeted most by robocalls, why this is happening and what you can do about it to protect your privacy.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shares tips and suggestions for how to get the best use out of the updated Calendar app available with the latest iOS update.
Your Social Security number, your unique identifier used for many purposes, has likely been leaked on the Dark Web; here are some steps you can take to protect yourself.
Researchers have developed a new technology that creates strong, sticky fibers capable of lifting objects and capturing things from a distance.
Smart rings track the same things that smartwatches do, including steps, sleep and a general overview of your overall health, and they tend have more battery life than smartwatches.
Researchers have developed a robotic finger that can perform routine medical exams like those conducted by doctors, helping to address the growing shortage of trained professionals.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Insurance administrative services company Landmark Admin reported that a data breach from a May cyberattack affected over 800,000 people.
Sotheby's will auction the first artwork created by Ai-Da, the world's first robot artist created in 2019 by British gallerist Aidan Meller.
More than 250 million users of the Verizon Messages app will have to switch to another app. Verizon is shutting down Messages in the next month.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides a list of 10 celebrities who are the most targeted by deepfake scams, including Tom Hanks.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how Vast's Haven-1, launching in 2025, transforms space living with human-centric design.
UnitedHealth confirms over 100 million Change Healthcare users had their data stolen. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals what happened and what caused the breach.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson explains how iOS 18 brings new text formatting and animated effects to the Messages app.
Whether you're a social media veteran or novice, Facebook friend request scams are common. Kurt the CyberGuy provides tips to keep your account safe.

What Every Employee Should Know About How to Maximize His Potential for Success

There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More

5 Ways To Use Mind Power To Maximise Your Potential

Why do patients who are given placebo pills report that... Read More

Beware: Your Mind is a Battle Field!

WhenWhen we have feelings for someone or something, we have... Read More

11 Great Ways to be Positive about Change

Look for the positives!Seek them out - those little scary... Read More

How To Radically Improve Your Everyday Experience Of Life In Two Simple Steps

Can you do something for me?Tell me?Please don't think tomorrow.What?Yeah,... Read More

Does It Really Matter?

We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More

Positioned For Success - The Refined Art Of Taking A Chance

ARE YOU IN... OR OUT?Are you in or out of... Read More

Perspective Is Everything

Ever witnessed an incident that needed to be reported to... Read More

Mindfulness and Curiosity: Inspiring Affection

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."... Read More

Change Your Mind; Change Your Luck

When I was a young man, even a teenager for... Read More

Universal Thought Systems/Forgiveness

Philosophy of Forgiveness:The most powerful tool that human beings possess... Read More

The TRUTH About What REALLY Causes Negative Thoughts

Do you feel that your negative thoughts are holding you... Read More

Creating Your Desires

Say aloud:I AM. I AM Consciousness. I AM the creator... Read More

Affirmations to Improve Your Life

An affirmation is a positive assertion, a solemn declaration, a... Read More

Living with Lunatics: They?re Crazy and They?re in Charge!

They're out there? they look like people you know, but... Read More

Keep Your Cool

Know your limits. Accept what you can't change and let... Read More

How You Treat People Matters

I encountered several interesting people that really taught me something.... Read More

Why You Want What You Cant Have

"You can't always get what you want . . ."... Read More

Banishing Hannibal Lecter Personalities From Your Life

We all know them. We all have somebody like them... Read More

Doubting Your Way To Success!... Ridiculous... Oh?

Ever had a problem with doubts? Ever felt that nagging... Read More

Self-Recovery from Addiction: Taking Responsibility for Your Life

I've had several coaching clients come to me who, while... Read More

Chanel Your Prosperity Energy Today

Every emotion, wether we classify it as good or bad,... Read More

Transform Your Behavior Painlessly by Using the 5-Minute Success Strategy

Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More

Absence Makes The Fear Go Yonder!

Emotions are controlled by a combination of reason and action.... Read More

Positive Attitude is Not Enough

Contrary to the popular saying "attitude is everything" attittude is... Read More

O'Hare Chicago prom limo ..