Influence & Multiply

E ku dee de iwoyi o! E ku ipalemo odun o yio bawa layo o.

It has been a wonderful year again and I am sure we all have something to be thankful for this year too.

I have tried to talk about Influence a lot this year and I will like to round up by expressing how influence can multiply. Here multiply means reproduce and increase. It takes a lot of listening, understanding, navigating, showing faith in others, empowering people to be a person of influence and to positively impact our association. Also as stated through the previous write ups that being an influencer means;

a.    modeling integrity with people,

b.    motivating people

c.     mentoring people

d.    Multiplying or reproducing more people like you for the association.

When you are a good model, you will motivate other people to want to emulate you and reach out to other people and mentor them as well. When the process keeps repeating, it will definitely have a great impact in every aspect of our lives and the association.

In other words a person of influence produces other influencers and growth comes only if we make it a habit.Thank you for reading.

If you were born in December, we celebrate with you and wishing you many many more in good health and prosperity.

Odun a yabo fun gbogbo wa o.

Segun.

Aare YAJ

Finding a Mentor.

Eku ipalemo odun o.

Since I have been fortunate to have had several life-changing mentors in my life, mentorship is a topic I explore frequently and I thought I should share it with you because we all need one. It's no surprise that having a mentor can be one of the greatest gifts you could ever encounter because they will influence you immensely. Finding a mentor may be hard, but believe me or not you don`t know where and when you will find one, which is the reason we come together from time to time. From a mentor, you are not learning in the logical sense. You do not show up to a classroom every day where the mentor takes to the dry erase board and proceeds to explain to you, in detail, everything you need to know. A real mentorship is where you put your full trust in someone else. You forgo your ego, you give up trying to prove how great you are, you throw caution to the wind and you, literally, follow them around. It takes guts to say, to someone you look up to, "I don't know what I don't know". 99% of people think admitting this is a weakness. This is why 99% of people miss the opportunity. The mentor/apprentice relationship is extremely emotional and not forever. You will move on when the path presents itself i.e an opportunity. This is why Yoruba adage says”Bi omode balaso bi agba,ko le lakisa bi agba”. The reason a mentor(such as baba mechanic) takes the time to teach someone younger, someone inexperienced, is because they see an opportunity. They see someone who is willing to put their ego aside to learn. Let us learn this as we come together.

We celebrate with you if you were born in November,igba odun,odun kan ni o.

If you did not have the time to join us this year, create the time next year, we are waiting for you. We love you and we need you. Have a wonderful November everybody!

Segun.

President.

Motivating

Hello everyone! E ku asiko yio.

It`s October and the beginning of many festivals and holidays toward the end of the year!

Don`t worry if you think you still have a lot to do, with proper planning you can still achieve your goals.As posted last month, modeling can be a powerful influence either positively or negatively and could be done from a distance. Sometimes you have to do it up close if you want to make a better impact and that is motivating them.

You will become a motivational influencer when you encourage people and communicate with them on an emotional level. This does two things:

1. It creates a bridge between you and them and

2. It builds up their confidence and sense of worth.

When people feel good about you and themselves during the times they are with you, then your influence increases significantly.

Once again, try as much as possible to tell people your opinion and also confirm whatever you may have heard. The message may have been misinterpreted and taken wrongly. Also messages sent here and other places are basically general and meant for the progress of the association and the members. A message may concern you, but you are not a target. If you were born in October, we celebrate with you and wish you your heart`s desire as the year is running to an end.

Remember to come join us if you have not done so, we need you and we love you!

Have a wonderful October everybody!

A o ko ere oko dele o.

Segun.

Modeling

Hello everyone!

It`s September everybody! What have you accomplished and what are you working on?

Who have you influenced and who has influenced you?If you meet people who don`t know you, at first you have no influence at all, but if someone they trust introduces you and endorses you to them, then you can temporarily borrow that person`s influence until they get to know you. But as soon as they have some time to observe you, you’ll either build or burst that influence by your actions.Your actions really count toward your growth and your associations.That is part of modelling.As we move to the ember part of the year, I want to say it again that what you do TODAY matters. Each day, I hope you`ll inspire, challenge, and equip someone.

As usual, if you were born in September, we celebrate with you. I`d like to use this; “You will be a DAILY CHAMPION, a VANGUARD of HOPE contributing meaningful quota to the NATIONAL LIFE that SAHARA will tell about THE NEWS….”

Thank you always for your support.

Have a great month everybody!

Segun.

Experience and Influence.

Hello everyone!

The scariest experiences can teach the most important lessons and influence us.

On January 15, 2009, US Airways Flight 1549 shortly after takeoff, a flock of geese collided with it damaging both of the plane's engines.

As the pilot attempted the seemingly impossible, he uttered three words to the crew and passengers: “Brace for impact."

Fortunately, the pilot guided the plane onto the Hudson River. All 155 passengers and crew safely evacuated the airplane, and the event became known as the "Miracle on the Hudson.” But imagine for a moment you were sitting on that plane, as it headed down toward the water. What do you think would go through your mind?

A man who had a front-row seat on the flight opened up about three things he learned as the plane was about to crash, and how the event changed his life. They are; 1. Stop procrastinating.

2. Let go of the ego.

3. Find your most important thing.

So, I'll ask you again. Imagine for a moment you were sitting on that plane, as it headed down toward the water. What do you think would go through your mind?

It's a question we should all spend a little time on. Let`s also think about the points on his list and apply them to our own lives.

We celebrate with you if you were born in August and we believe that the best is yet to come for you. Happy birthday! Have a wonderful August everyone and enjoy your summer!

President.

Your Influence is not the same.

Happy Ramadan to all our Muslim brothers and sisters!

Emi ase pupo e o.

As we enter into the second half of the year, I want you to know that Influence is a curious thing. Even if we have impact on nearly everyone around us, our level of influence is not and can never be the same with everyone. For example, when you present an idea at your work place, one person may think your idea is inspiring while another may view it with skepticism and this may be always. Yet the same person may love every single idea presented by your boss or other colleagues. That shows that your influence is not as strong with that person. This is where we need to work as a team for this association. Use your influence wisely to unite us in what you do and say, so that we will be able to take this association to the highest level possible. Ask yourself this question; Am I the person when I am in the association as I am alone with people I influence? Your answer will determine how you are contributing to this association. Let us all commit ourselves to the growth of the association, join the meetings to be able to share your thoughts and to see things with your own eyes. Oodua a gbe wa o.We rejoice with you if you were born in July and we wish you good health, wisdom and prosperity in all you do always. Have a wonderful July everyone!

The president.

The art of influence.

E ku asiko yio meaning good day!

Hope you are enjoying the weather and getting ready for the hot summer? Sorry that we could not meet last month because of the children`s Day event.Thank you for those who were able to attend and especially those who presented the Eyo masquerade. We appreciate you for sacrificing your time and finance.

 I am sure everyone wants to be successful, no matter how you define success, besides good old hard work and perseverance; one of the key factors is who is in your sphere of influence. Influence is, simply put, the power and ability to personally affect others’ actions, decisions, opinions or thinking and /or life. At one level, it is about compliance, about getting someone to go along with what you want them to do. But you often need genuine commitment from others to accomplish key goals and tasks. True commitment means you have succeeded in influencing people so that they’ll endorse and truly support you or your task or plan. When you influence people so they reach a place of genuine commitment, working relationships begin to improve. You see greater sustained effort and resiliency. Your colleagues become more efficient, creative and focused. To maximize your personal influence, you’ll want to evaluate your own style of influencing. What tactics do you use most? What could you do differently? You have a choice. I will recommend aligning yourself with such people as in this association that will lift you up and have your best interest in mind. Don`t listen to the nay Sayers. Do everything you can to absorb as much knowledge from the people in the association and, of course, do your best to give some back because we all have something to share. I will also recommend joining us and express your opinion, your fear, your worry, your trouble, your pain etc. It will help better than staying away. We love you!

Happy birthday to you if you were born in June and wishing you success in all you do.

To all our Muslim brothers and sisters,Happy Ramadan to you all. May Allah accept all your fasting and prayers in Ramadan.

Have a wonderful June everyone!

Segun.

What Impression Are You Creating?

Eku deede iwoyio!

A famous painter is fondly known as the “Painter of Light” and millions of homes host his beautiful artwork. It's amazing to think about all the people who have been touched and inspired by both his life and his breathtaking images. In the same way, the people around you are inspired or influenced by your life and the image you create on the inside of their hearts.

You may not see yourself as an artist like him but the truth is, we are all artists. We all have creative ability because we are made in the image of a creative God, and we create impressions with the words we speak. Words are our brush strokes, and the hearts of others are our canvas. With every word, good or bad, we are leaving a lasting image in the lives of others.

In the natural, a beautiful painting isn't just about the colors, it's about the technique the artist uses to apply the color as well. As a skillful artist chooses his brush strokes carefully,we should also be careful with the delivery of our words so that we can create a positive, encouraging masterpiece on the hearts of our family members, friends and coworkers.

Just like anything else, I know it takes practice to become a skillful artist with your words, but anyone can do it! Even when you have to bring correction or instruction, you can position your words so that they will be more easily received.What Impression Are You Creating about the association?

Always remember, whether you're a boss working with an employee, a parent working with a child, or speaking to a friend or spouse or in your association, the goal should always be to help others reach a higher level. Choose your words carefully, wrap them in love and positive affirmation, and create a masterpiece in the hearts of the people in your life!

Come join us if you are still not and let`s start building the future together! Oodua a gbe wa o!

We celebrate with you if you were born in May; our wish always is that you reach the highest level of your potential. Happy birthday!

Have a wonderful May everyone!

Segun.

Synapses that fire together wire together.

E ku deede iwoyio

I am sorry for posting a bit late this month due to my tight schedule.

Thank you for coming to the last meeting and thank you for the constructive contributions. We are very delighted that we were able to distribute the membership certificates at last, solidifying our membership status. Thank you for your understanding. Please let us know how we can serve you and the community better.

Throughout your brain there is a collection of synapses separated by empty space called the synaptic cleft. Whenever you have a thought, one synapse shoots a chemical substance across the cleft to another synapse, thus building a bridge over which an electric signal can cross, carrying along the relevant information you're thinking about. Don`t worry about the detail, but here's the catch, every time this electrical charge is triggered, the synapses grow closer together in order to decrease the distance the electrical charge has to cross. The brain is rewiring its circuit, physically changing itself, to make it easier and thus spark together making it easier for the thought to trigger.  

So having a thought makes it easier for you to have that thought again. That's not good news for the perpetually gloomy person. Not only do repeated negative thoughts make it easier to think yet more negative thoughts, they also make it more likely that negative thoughts will occur to you just randomly walking down the street. Another way to put this is that being consistently negative starts to push your personality towards the negative and /or makes you pessimistic outlook. Through repetition of thought, you've brought the pair of synapses that represent you closer and closer together, and when the moment arises for you to form a thought, the thought that wins is the one that has less distance to travel, the one that will create a bridge between synapses fastest. Gloom soon outraces positivism. The good news is that the opposite works in the same way. You will be positive and radiant if you think more positively. In the same way we can influence each other and the association in various ways and people looking from outside will be influenced to join and be part of the association and the process will continue after we are long gone. Hence “Synapses that fire together wire together”. 

Thank you again for your support.

If you were born in April you are not forgotten, you are a person of influence, we celebrate with you and wishing you the best always

Have a wonderful April everybody!

Segun.

Person of Influence.

E ku deede iwoyio meaning good day!

Thank you for coming to the last meeting and thank you for the beautiful contribution.Once again seeing the way and manner in which everyone passionately contributed, I was able to confirm that my being part of the association is not a waste of time and that each one of us is a person of influence! Everyone has influence whether they realize it or not. Influence isn't about having a social position or financial status. You may not be in the public eye today,but you may be the one to influence the influencer! Think about the influence you have over your circle, your children, your spouse, your co-workers, your boss and your friends. Your influence may be extremely subtle. You may not receive accolades or acknowledgements in this life, and you may not even realize all the ways you are affecting the people around you. Influence isn't about a social position; it's about a heart position. When you show up at the meeting and talking to people about the association with a heart of excellence, you are operating from your place of influence. When you go above and beyond to do what is right, people will notice and will want to be part of the association and in so doing we can stay united and take the association to a great height and your personal life may also be influenced by your association. Thank you for those who joined us anew and those who came after a long absence, we appreciate you all and please continue to spread the good news that may influence others to want to join even though we know we are not near perfect.

If you were born in March we celebrate with you and wishing you the best in all you do. Believe that you are a person of destiny and look for ways to operate in your place of influence!

Have a wonderful March everybody!

Segun.

Practical Influences

E ku deede iwoyio.

We are already in the second month! This year is running fast again.

As a continuation to last month on the theme of the year: Influence, I want to talk on practical influence that we may experience or give in our lives here or anywhere.Many of Japan’s principles for living can be found nestled in Japanese concept words that can help us organize our lives or understand purpose for living, or in our enlightenment to living in harmony which starts from inside. We need all these too, not only about our religious beliefs. Who will not be impressed with the clear separation of religion and education in Japan? They do a very good job by teaching children morality without tying it to theology depending on your personal opinion for or against that. You can be nice without following any religion such as being considerate to others, being clean inside and outside, being on time, etc. the common rules followed by everyone here. I believe we could be influenced by all these and live happily with each other and even take back to our home which eventually may influence the mindset of majority for betterment of our generation and generations to come. We may have or witness adversity or injustice sometimes, but the difference is clear and bad experiences are sometimes good because they teach us how to deal with life. Even then you`ll definitely receive justice if you seek for it. We can also influence other people here within our communities by being a good example. Just like the month of February is for Valentine, which is based on friendships or love, let’s keep working on giving unconditional love, even when it may be hard sometimes we`ll definitely enjoy it sooner or later.

If you were born in February, we congratulate you, we celebrate with you and we love you. To those who are still not sure to join or not,I was once like you, take your time , you are welcome anytime,but remember that "Aisimbe ni aibawondasi o" ,come and let`s put heads together for you and for me and for the association."Ao kereoko deleo".Have a good month!

President.

New Year!

Compliments of the season to you all Aseyi se amodun o!

Yes, it’s time to make the annual pledges to do more, less, or better. To quit, start, change, do this and that this year. Before you resolve what to do next, there are a few things you better take into consideration. You have all heard the legendary quote, “Begin with the end in mind.” This is a half-truth, and actually dangerous thinking.Begin with understanding of what got you to this point, and what you’re seeking to accomplish then, make a plan with the “OUTCOME" defined”

I however chose "INFLUENCE" as my theme for this year. It can be used in different ways, but I`ll start with this; we all know that living abroad gives you an opportunity to have a greater understanding of other cultures. We definitely experience a common societal, lingual, philosophical, aesthetic, and religious influence. According to a survey, the biggest influence on foreigners, as you might expect, was Japanese society itself and her core values. Most people felt that just being among nice and polite people was infectious. This year, let us be part of the people influenced by the positive aspect of the society and to allow cohesiveness, harmony, humility (less ego) and improved manners among us in our community. Let us think of ourselves less and to always learn from the society to exercise better manners. After all, good manners are free, they don’t cost anything. So as it appears that we benefit from living among good role models. Let us know the difference between Proud and Pride. Let us know how to work as a team, which is another Japanese culture. Someone said: “I learned that you can be outstanding without standing out.” Whether Resolution or Theme, let us listen more, love one another and be the solution to the problem this year and not the problem to our association or community Let`s be influenced by the society and see how it will help our community grow.

If you were born in January we celebrate with you and wish you a good success in the year. Have a wonderful year everybody!

Segun.

President.