Did You 'ACE THE TEST'?

Did You 'ACE THE TEST'?

Did You 'ACE THE TEST'? Or were you ever aware in the past that you were about to go through a test, frankly to test your mettle?  Unfortunately, many of us tend to live life casually and passively to the extent that we are totally unaware of particular phases in our life where, not to our choice or liking, we are put to a test, either in school, at work, in our relationship with our partner/spouse or even for entrepreneurs, in the business forays you would get into.

BTW, to 'ACE THE TEST', that's not just happening in the academic space because it can happen any day anywhere.  And those TESTS will happen NOT just to test your skills or capability but it could be to TEST anything within you.  Could be your CHARACTER, your FAITH, your INTEGRITY, your LOYALTY, your PATIENCE, your PERSEVERANCE, your RESILIENCE or even your MENTAL HEALTH.  And the harsh reality in life is that we should and cannot FAIL any of all those tests.  We got to ACE THE TEST.

Regardless of the test you would face in life, never hesitate to ask this post-mortem question:  Did You 'ACE THE TEST'? And assuming you failed the most recent test, that's fine.  By being aware that you failed in the most recent test, that can WAKE YOU UP to shape up because you got to ACE THE TEST.

So how do you 'ACE THE TEST'? Simple.  PREP IT.  ACE IT.  Simply put, prepare for those tests to come and happen.  Not to be pessimistic and ending up haunting you, you need to be fully aware of the CHINKS in your armor because that should trigger you to correct those CHINKS in your armor and ensure you 'PLUG YOUR HOLES' up front.

At the end of the day, you DON'T need to be obsessed to 'ACE THE TEST'.  Just remain focused and steadfast with that singular objective on a consistent basis.  I'll assure you can ACE THE TEST❗❗❗

Deboning Problems

Deboning Problems

Deboning Problems is not far different when we're deboning fish to prepare for a fillet.  It is NEITHER rocket science NOR is it a simple equation like 1+1=2.  Without over-simplifying things, most problems are not complex enough to break us down to our soul and spirit.  Truth is, most problems are an offshoot of our day-to-day living.  And quite often, a minor snag may trigger something that leads to a result that farther leads to another complication that creates a new problem💊💊💊

Much identified closely to fish by affinity, problems are often rightfully resolved by Deboning Problems via the proven technique the old school refers to as FISH BONE ANALYSIS.  It  is a reverse approach to 'debug' a problem by starting to look at it from the surface and from the most obvious levels before you deep-dive on a per step basis📗📘📙

Truth is, most of our problems impact us mentally, psychologically, emotionally or a combination thereof.  Sometimes, it tends to torment us no end till we feel that things are spinning around, running in circles around us.  So, the nagging question is does it seem to appear that we humans seem to be swamped with enormous volumes of problems most of the time

It's because during those times of helplessness, we DON'T see, to have the tools + capability to deal with the problem itself.  Instead, we seem to run from end to end like a headless chicken nowhere to go.  So what's the first step towards fixing such a quandary?  First off,calm down and regain composure.  Many of us, in those moments of torment, we tend to lose reason and logic from within.  

 Instead, we should have nothing less than all these interrogatives.  HOW?  WHY?  WHO? These are an integral part of Deboning Problems 101 such that when you either overlook or miss out these basic interrogatives, you will end up seemingly helpless and on the precipice of giving up.  C'mon dude, life was NOT meant for us to give so soon, right❓❓❓

Those 'AHA' Moments

Those 'AHA' Moments

Ten [10] years ago, in August 2012 to be exact, Merriam-Webster released their annual list of new dictionary words and at the very top way above 'bucket list' was 'AHA' Moments.    As famous American celebrity Oprah Winfrey explained, 'AHA' Moments as those moments of 'SUDDEN INSPIRATION, iINSIGHT, RECOGNITION or COMPREHENSION.  But let's not talk about Oprah.  Instead, let's look back into our lives.  Surely you had those 'AHA' Moments but the bigger question is, were you aware with those 'AHA' Moments

But the tougher nut to crack here is that the thing about the 'AHA' Moments, you would never thought of it that way before but you can't have those 'AHA' Moments unless you already knew it.  So, the 'AHA' Moments is the remembering of what you already knew, articulated in a way to resonate with your own truth.  So, the 'AHA' Moments isn't somebody teaching you something. Instead, it is somebody helping you to remember.

Do you remember the last time you said "so that's how this works"?  Hold on to that memory because that was an 'AHA' Moment.  To be a little scientific, emotions are the consequences of the chemical messages revealed from our brain through the body.  To cite a relevant example, when we identify or experience something rewarding such such as a notification from Twitter that says 'someone retweeted your post, our brain releases dopamine, oxytocin or serotonin which are the chemicals that make us feel good.

Sometimes, the effects of the feeling are very strong that it drives our behaviors and decision-making.  And those 'AHA' Moments are such moments that make a user decide to employ a product.  In real life, we could have benefitted a lot more from Those 'AHA' Moments.  How?  Firstly, by taking those 'AHA' Moments as the moments to inspire us in our next steps.

On the flip side, what if we simply shrug off our shoulders after having those 'AHA' Moments?  Simple.  Those 'AHA' Moments would have gone to naight because we didn't leverage on that positivity.  What a WASTE.  What a MISS for Those 'AHA' Moment💊💊💊

Anger Is One Letter Away from 'DANGER

Anger Is One Letter Away from 'DANGER'

Wake up every morning, turn on any gadget to watch and view news streaming worldwide and you would see our global village littered with 'ANGER'. Be it the raging Russian war in Ukraine, the actions by extremist Islamists in the Middle East or even the 'saber rattling' in the South China Sea between China and Taiwan.  Voila, there is 'ANGER' all over the place, seriously.  And why do we think the situations in Ukraine and elsewhere have become dangerous?  It's because Anger Is just One Letter Away from 'DANGER

And who are we quoting with this one-liner? No less than the respected ELEANOR ROOSEVELT, the U.S. First Lady during the term of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said that:  Anger Is One Letter Away from 'DANGER.  Indeed it is.  And this is were ANGER MANAGEMENT really comes into the picture.  Studies have shown that eight percent of adolescents display ANGER issues that qualify for lifetime diagnoses of intermittent explosive disorder.  BTW, ANGER issues aren't limited to teens and it's important that we understand anger symptoms, causes and effects if you suspect you are in that ANGER predicament.

It also helps that we dig dipper into that ANGER problem if we perceive that that indeed exists.  Individuals who have trouble controller ANGER or who experience ANGER outside of a normal emotional scope can present with different types of ANGER disorders.  Unfortunately, experts have presented  contradicting lists of ANGER types.  If we start rattling down the most common types of ANGER, you will be surprised, it's a long list

If you had prolonged ANGER, that's CHRONIC.  If your ANGER does not always come across, that could be PASSIVE ANGER.  If your ANGER is at times too much for you to cope, that's OVERWHELMED ANGER.  When your ANGER is directed to yourself, that's SELF-INFLICTED ANGER.  And when that ANGER is directed towards others, that's JUDGMENTAL ANGER.  And when your ANGER includes spontaneous excessive, that's VOLATILE ANGER.  Unfortunately, there is no best choice from this long list of ANGER types.  And your only choice is to improve your ANGER MANAGEMENT.

At the end of the day, all we dream of is blissful and peaceful day-to-day living, shielded from any shades of Anger as it drains and zaps you.  We have more important things to plot out and achieve in life and ANGER is NOT one of them because that's never part of our long list of priorities and not even the tail-ender.

Taking A Quantum Leap

Taking A Quantum Leap

Are you contemplating to dump your 'old school' way of taking 'baby steps' and instead Taking A Quantum Leap?  Kudos to you BUT only if you succeed.  But let's not sing hallelujah too soon.  You can dare ask me, how often in the past did I decide on Taking A Quantum Leap?  Don't get me wrong, Taking A Quantum Leap is very very commendable and laudable but hold on, can we pull the brakes for a while and debate on the pros and cons of Taking A Quantum Leap?  I myself, I'll admit, I fell flat on my face in the past after Taking A Quantum Leap.

And before I get bashed by a mob, please DON'T get me wrong.  Per se, there's nothing wrong Taking A Quantum Leap BUT things become quite concerning when you often risked taking it and failed over and over again.  So, where's the beef?

The actionable part here comes when you have fallen flat on your face over and over again.  Because what that means when Taking A Quantum Leap, there could be a serious flaw within your decision-making.  Are you thoroughly thinking out?  Do you ever thoroughly plan things out?  Do you thoroughly assess the risks across your options?  Or, all along, do you decide by impulse and just take the high road of plunging down regardless of the risks?

Oh, you can be that goldfish taking that huge LEAP of FAITH?  But alas, a few times, we do see such 'high flyers' really succeeding but hold on, that's not the most common thing happening in real life.  So what's the probability of failing, if at all.  Oh dude, not to demotivate you, there is that high probability of failing [until the 'law of averages' catches up] and..... voila!  Back to our lives, think about taking those small, baby steps. While that will you take longer, you have that higher probability 

So, what's the fix?  It's fine to be ambitious by angling for that bullseye but you got to 'PAY YOUR DUES', you got to patiently learn things in that slow but sure approach.  Why go HELTER-SKELTER if you will go nowhere?  Would take those small ten thousand steps where your probability is around 90% as against TAKING A QUANTUM LEAP where, after that leap. you will fall flat on your face?  As that old cliche goes, haste makes haste.  So. will you roll the dice and still decide in TAKING A QUANTUM LEAP❓❓❓

A Good Advice Is Only As Good if....

A Good Advice Is Only As Good if....

How often do you receive advice?  I doubt it if you do receive it everyday.  But regardless, a GOOD ADVICE is only as GOOD if...... you accept it.  But then, it seems UNSOLICITED ADVICE seems quite common these days.  Whether they are financial tips from your in-laws or business suggestions from a random entrepreneur, everyone has an opinion for you to consider

Social media and online forums seem to feel the notion that it's good to share your advice regardless if whether someone is looking for suggestions [or NOT].  And while there are times when UNSOLICITED ADVICE can be helpful, quite often, it's irrelevant or impractical.  So, you DON'T just accept an advice hook, line and sinker.  

So, it's important to distinguish whose advice is actually worthwhile and whose advice you should TIME OUT.  Otherwise, you could waste a lot of time and energy considering advice that just isn't helpful at all.  So, why DON'T we narrow down the list of people we can reach out for advice.  Frist off, those people WHO [genuinely] care for you.  And people who truly care for you, whether it's your mother or your BFF, will give you heartfelt words of wisdom.  If they disagree with what you're doing, those who care the most will be willing to tell you.  Their motivation to help you will make them happy once you succeed.  Quite often, they will be able to see your work from a different angle and their suggestions may be instrumental in helping you to move forward.

Of course, there may be times when you have to SET LIMITS with an over-zealous well-meaning person who may insist on bombarding you with advice.  Too much unsolicited advice, even when it's well-meaning, can get in the way of your goals.  Again, never miss out that A Good Advice Is Only As Good if.... if you will heed it in GOOD FAITH.

And those people with expertise, they are another good source of advice.  It's easy for spectators to criticize your work but their opinions shouldn't hold much value if they aren't in the ring with you.  Look for a successful person with proven expertise.  On the flip side of things, you can waste a lot of time worrying about a harsh critic or getting defensive but do TUNE THEM OUT unless it is a GOOD ADVICE as that's all that matters❗❗❗

When You Are in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'

When You Are in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'

When was the last you were in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?  Probably you won't know.  And it's probable you won't know because you were NOT even aware that you were already in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'.  What this means are those times when you make or project yourself to be 'TOUGHER THAN TOUGH'.  You might have heard the U.S. Air Force planes in a 'SCRAMBLE MODE' in the South China Sea.

So, when exactly do we get inclined to go in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?  Some common scenarios when we tend to go on 'SCRAMBLE MODE' are instances when we are in panic more or panic attack.  Those moments when we feel we are in a 'state of siege', when we tend to feel helpless, when we think we are left with no cards to play.  Often, more as part of huiman nature, to go to 'SCRAMBLE MODE' seems part of our defense mechanism.

When we feel we have 'lost face' for whatever reason, valid or not, we would then go in 'SCRAMBLE MODE' to burnish our facade and project a 'show of force'.  But the question, is going in 'SCRAMBLE MODE' does make sense?  Yes it is if it will give you that legitimate impression.  So the bigger question is, when should we NOT go on 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?

Now, i'd share the instances when we, you should NOT go 'SCRAMBLE MODE' at all.  Firstly, if you re culpable and guilty of something.  Why should you go 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?  Secondly,  if you offended someone, especially your partner/spouse or even your bosses at work.  Thirdly, If you still need to rectify a mistake you've done.  Got to remember that a mistake done CAN'T be undone.  But you can make amends by admitting that it's your fault and most importantly, you are GENUINELY remorseful for what you have wrongly done.  But by being remorseful, it does NOT make sense for you to really go on 'SCRAMBLE MODE' at all📌📌📌

So, if at all, how can we avert and avoid being in 'SCRAMBLE MODE'?  First off, DON'T PANIC.  If you do, sometimes, the human reaction is more influenced by emotions rather than what is logically wrong because otherwise, you may end up by doubling things wrongly rather than 'righting the wrong'.  Bottom line, to go 'SCRAMBLE MODE' is only the very last card you can play❗❗❗

NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION

NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION

Who says that when there is MOTION, we're fine? No sirrrrrs, NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION because that MAY or MAY NOT mean anything in life.  During my early school days when there was more idle time than 'BUSY TIME', myself and my classmates would explore things by just walking and walking.  And I remember we walked stretching to six miles [that's approximately ten kilometers] out of our city going as remote as possible.  After feeling [finally] drained and exhausted but after all the time had lapsed, we failed to realize NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION.

Now, let's go back to the very basics of semantics. Let's start with MOTION.  It can be anything which causes a change in the situation, whether it's the deck of chairs on the TITANIC or the hierarchy in a political party.  Now for DIRECTION or ACTION.  It's what the movie director calls for to get a scene started when filming a movie.  It is a MOTION but with a purpose.  So what does  NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION really mean?  It's for us NOT to really get mixed up between MOTION and DIRECTION.

Why is DIRECTION that important?  We can move things around in our life BUT without DIRECTION, does anything useful actually take place?  Definitely NOT from a single motion.  To see actual change, there has to be meaning and purpose to the MOTION or MOVEMENT.  Only then does that MOTION or MOVEMENT may very likely lead to a DIRECTION.  Think about that TITANIC scenario where they are rearranging the deck chairs when in fact the boat was already sinking⌛⌛⌛

Having a DIRECTION means doing something which makes sense versus just going through the MOTION.  By just choosing MOTION, we are wasting time.  By finding direction in our MOTION, we are investing our time in the desired outcome of our action or MOTION.  In fact, MOTION is the term used for doing things which DON'T achieve results.  NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION📌📌📌

Why DON'T we take a moment and think back through the last few days or even weeks.  How much time was spent on busy-work or simply being in MOTION?  How much of that time could you cut out?  What activities tend to eat up the most time?  Consider what you might change to free up some MOTION time for taking action that has a DIRECTION.  Please DON'T get me wrong.  It happens only few of us can be in that constant direction but it pays to be constantly aware NEVER Confuse MOTION With DIRECTION📗📙📘

Will The Clouds Yield 'RAIN SHOWER' ?

Will The Clouds Yield 'RAIN SHOWER' ?

Will The Clouds Yield 'RAIN SHOWER' ?  No folks, it ain't matter, right?  Whether rain eventually falls or not, every single tiny speck in our plan has to proceed based on our plan.  Not even the gloomy clouds can stop or delay you from taking your NEXT STEP.  But you might ask, is this concern?  Yes it is, till now, because we have witnessed lots of things held up even by the CLOUDS

In fact, LIFE MUST GO ON.  The SHOW MUST GO ON.  Unfortunately, we are often vulnerable to get impacted by external factors that are akin to force majeure, to 'ACTS of GOD'.  So, where does that lead you to?  Why do you need to put things ON HOLD?  In the first place, we are NOT an aircraft awaiting GO SIGNAL from the control tower.

Care to await the next day's weather forecast?  Tell that to the marines.  Why do we wait for something that's way beyond our purview?  Why put your life in a 'holding pattern' like that aircraft awaiting the control tower's GO SIGNAL to [finally] land?  It just makes NO SENSE, period. Why stall things in your life when rightfully, you got to move on and just DO YOUR THING?  Will you still put your eggs in one basket? Will The Clouds Yield RAIN SHOWER?

This poster says it all.  ARE YOUR PLANS IN PLACE?  Then, if so, DON'T LEAVE THINGS TO CHANCE. why?  Leaving things to chance is abandoning things you rightfully have the legitimate right to make decisions.  If your work performance is in the doldrums, will you tell yourself 'WAIT TILL YOUR BOSS LEAVES the company'?  If your relationship is hitting rough patches, why won't you lift a finger and instead wait for things on the other side to turn up positive?

Yesirrrrs  MAKE THINGS HAPPEN no less.  And NOT for things NOT TO HAPPEN.  In fact, the harshest thing in life is for you NOT to FAIL because you didn't even step forward and pick up the gauntlet Bluntly, not lifting your finger is WORST THAN FAILURE.  At the very least, if ever you fail on something, it's because you did give it a try [and failed] whereas NOT LIFTING A FINGER?  Where does that bring you?  To the long list of defaulters who might be even afraid of their own shadows📗📘📙

There Are NO 'Free Lunches'

There Are NO 'Free Lunches'

Want a FREE LUNCH?  I'm really so sorry folks.  There Are NO 'Free Lunches'. not even if your BFF invites you for FREE LUNCH, not even when your boss treats you for FREE LUNCH, not even if your credit card rewards you with FREE LUNCH? Not even if you receive vouchers left and right for FREE LUNCH.  Why?  Because that so called FREE LUNCH was is not being given to you on a silver platter🔔🔔🔔

Back in school when you were receiving high academic  grades, those were not FREE LUNCHES.  You worked for it.  You earned it. You got it because you deserved it.  Even when you got those INVITES from your boss.  Likely it is because of your VERY good work [not just average work] that led you to that FREE LUNCH.

So, what exactly should we do when we receive that FREE LUNCH?  Obviously, graciously accept it but more than that, 'SAVOR THOSE MOMENTS' because those are your 'shining moments.  It says that all your hard work did pay.  And you are now about to reap all the fruits of your labor.  Even in your relationship with your partner/spouse, once you receive that FREE LUNCH, it means your relationship is going strong and robust and your partner/spouse is appreciating all your efforts to date via that FREE LUNCH📌📌📌

This picture says it all.  It means you have to really partake and enjoy that FREE LUNCH.  Obviously, your office desk and laptop is grinning ear-to-ear with that WELCOME BACK greetings but do enjoy that FREE LUNCH while you have it.  Appreciate every moment because you get what you worked for. There Are NO 'Free Lunches'💹💹💹

Now, this poster screams for FREE HUGS.  And that's true, in a strong relationship, those FREE HUGS are indeed FREE HUGS. But hey, here it is.  You are being offered those FREE HUGS by your immediate family, your loved ones, your BFF, all because everything in your relationships with them are all going nice and dandy.  No hiccups.  No snags.  No gaps.  No disconnects.  So, you REAP WHAT YOU SOW.  Otherwise, never miss out the fact that There Are NO 'Free Lunches'❗❗❗