One of the best ways to master a new skill is to learn public speaking and to teach it to others. Investor and business man Warren Buffet proved this theory when he taught investing to people twice his age. Chris Howard, master of NLP and wealth creation, has also successfully demonstrated this idea.

Why is teaching others the subject we want to master so groundbreaking?

We all have a unique way of looking at complex problems and discovering solutions to them. The more we understand the problem, the sooner we can solve it, and one of the most efficient ways to understand something is to put it into words by talking about it with others. This is when our vague ideas take shape and every time we talk about the idea, the shape becomes more focused. If you try to understand the issue by teaching it to others, you can’t help but move forward, because when we teach, we need our listeners to understand us and we can also learn different approaches to the discussed problem. Teaching becomes a brainstorming session, opening doors to new ideas and, of course, to better understanding. This is when the “light bulb” moments appear.

What is the result of clarity of thought?

Napoleon Bonaparte was famous for being able to express his plans in a very simple and precise way. As a result, he is one of the greatest geniuses of all times. He was able to conquer nearly all of Europe in record time and win “unwinnable” battles. He said about himself that his arm was directly linked to his head; he was quick to recognize his intuition and act upon it. The easiest way to heed your intuition about something is to hear yourself talk out loud about it.

Another great example…

By talking about money and by learning new vocabulary related to it, you expand your imagination in that particular direction. You can choose nearly any topic and the result will be the same. The more you understand a topic, the more intuitive your ideas about it become and then the results are immediate. This is, of course, connected to the limited focus of our brain, which takes in and processes only a small fraction of what is happening around us. The ability to choose keeps us sane. But at the same time what you choose to think about on a continuous basis becomes your reality. When the results are not what you want to have in your life you can change them by directing your focus to those parts of reality that have been out of focus for you. And you do this by brainstorming with other people on a particular topic, and the best way to do this is to teach them.

When you learn something new, you remember only a small fraction of this new knowledge. Repetition is the key to success, and by teaching you strengthen what you already know. Why is this so? There are many factors at play, including the way our brain works to gaining self-esteem and confidence in a particular field.

Remember…

When you teach a particular subject you are confronted by people who see it from their own perspectives. You become more tolerant both for yourself and for others. This then opens up tremendous possibilities for your imagination to grow… and it is imagination that rules the world.

We become what we think. If you think poverty, it is inevitable that you will be poor. Whereas if you think prosperity, your life will generate wealth, you will blossom like a rose bud in the sunshine, like a caterpillar metamorphosed into a beautiful butterfly. Creative ideas will start flowing, you’ll wake up each day looking forward to it, expecting new ideas to unveil themselves to you that day, to generate wealth, to make a difference in the world.

Your destiny depends upon you, by what you dwell on and the choices that you make. We all have the choice to either think, or dwell on the negative things of life, the impossibilities or the positive things, the possibilities. In the Bible it states that, “Anything is possible, if you have faith.” In other words, what do you believe in, what are the truths that you base your life on. If you truly believe that nothing is impossible to you, for you, then unlimited wealth is at your doorstep.

We all have the power to control our thoughts, it may be tough at times, but it is not impossible. Surround yourself with good, positive friends, that will build you up rather than tear you down. Read good, positive, uplifting books at all times. Keep learning new things, keep your mind active, focused, continually dreaming.

Study how the wealthy live, how they think, how they accomplished their dreams, even when all the odds were against them. Listen to how they talk, the words they speak, read their autobiographies and their stories.

Once you make the commitment to start thinking differently, your eyes will start to open up, as if miraculously you will start seeing things anew for the very first time. You’ll start seeing opportunities and meeting like-minded people. People will be drawn to you, they will see something different in you.

The decision is yours, to be rich or to be poor – the choice is yours. Instead of making comments such as, “I can’t afford it”, “It’s impossible”, “I can’t do that, I’m not qualified”. Start asking yourself, “How can I afford it?”, “What can I change right now?”, “What are my options?”, “How can I achieve my dream?”. Just begin one day, one step at a time and before you know it you will be walking in your dreams.

If you’re serious about becoming a wealthy, powerful, sophisticated, healthy, influential, cultured and unique individual, keep a journal. Don’t trust your memory. When you listen to something valuable, write it down. When you come across something important, write it down.

I used to take notes on pieces of paper and torn-off corners and backs of old envelopes.  On long sheets, narrow sheets and little sheets and pieces of paper thrown in a drawer. Then I found out that the best way to organize those ideas is to keep a journal. I’ve been keeping these journals since the age 19. The discipline makes up a valuable part of my learning, and the journals are a valuable part of my library.

I must admit, if you got a glimpse of my journals, you’d have to say that I am a serious student. I’m not just committed to my craft, I’m committed to life, committed to learning new concepts and skills. I want to see what I can do with seed, soil, sunshine and rain to turn them into the building blocks of a productive life.

Keeping a journal is so important. I call it one of the three treasures to leave behind for the next generation. In fact, future generations will find these three treasures far more valuable than your furniture.

The first treasure is your pictures. Take a lot of pictures. Don’t be lazy in capturing the event. How long does it take to capture the event? A fraction of a second. How long does it take to miss the event? A fraction of a second. So don’t miss the pictures. When you’re gone, they’ll keep the memories alive.

The second treasure is your library. This is the library that taught you, that instructed you, that helped you defend your ideals. It helped you develop a philosophy. It helped you become wealthy, powerful, healthy, sophisticated, and unique. It may have helped you conquer some disease. It may have helped you conquer poverty. It may have caused you to walk away from the ghetto. Your library, the books that instructed you, fed your mind and fed your soul, is one of the greatest gifts you can leave behind.

The third treasure is your journals: the ideas that you picked up, the information that you meticulously gathered. But of the three, journal writing is one of the greatest indications that you’re a serious student. Taking pictures, that is pretty easy. Buying a book at a book store, that’s pretty easy. It is a little more challenging to be a student of your own life, your own future, your own destiny. Take the time to keep notes and to keep a journal. You’ll be so glad you did. What a treasure to leave behind when you go. What a treasure to enjoy today!

Being able to take risks is fundamental to success in any endeavor we undertake. Being able to take a risk means being able to push yourself to do those things that you may be uncomfortable doing in order to achieve a goal. Common risks that many are afraid to take include such things as expressing ourselves in public, learning to do something new, investing in an activity or purchase without any guarantees of return on our investment, and even in some cases simply changing the way we do something. Risk, like change is always frightening, and taking a risk leaves us wide open and vulnerable to pain, criticism, embarrassment and perhaps loss. Why then, is being able to take risks so important? Consider these five main reasons:

1. Risk taking improves self-confidence and fosters self-esteem. With every risk you take there is an opportunity for success, and success breeds confidence. Sure, with every risk there is also the possibility of failure, but even if you fail you gain the confidence that comes from knowing you at least tried. The more often you try new things, the more often you will succeed and the more passionate you will become about your goals.

2. Risk taking lessens mental anguish. Indecision is actually far more draining than making a decision and taking action. If we constantly wait to do something until we feel absolutely certain that we can do it perfectly, odds are we won’t have the energy required to complete the goal. Successful people put their energies into taking action instead of thinking about taking action.

3. Risk taking is the only way to promote growth. Like a child learning to walk, taking a risk means taking action, and only by taking action can we produce results.

4. Risk taking improves our chances of success by teaching us what works. In order to improve results, we often have to change our attitudes, behaviors and the way we do things. When we aren’t afraid to risk change we are able to try new things and ultimately learn what works best for us.

5. Risk taking promotes happiness. If we fail to try something that we would really like to do, we are left only with feelings of regret and unhappiness. We are much happier when we can say we tried, even if we didn’t succeed.

Risk taking isn’t easy and it is often uncomfortable and frightening, but it is the only way we can push ourselves to see how far we can go, and learn what goals we can achieve. It is the only way we can live to our fullest potential and realize our dreams. It means the difference between looking back and reflecting on what we’ve accomplished and looking back with regret at what we wished we would have done. Those who fear risk and hold back will accomplish very little. Those who see risk as an opportunity for potential growth will forge ahead and accomplish great things. Which one will you be?

The quest for success has always been at the top of man’s heart desires. We may never have known this before but the desire to be successful in life has been the core of man’s desires. As our faces differ, so also are our desires for success in different areas of life. To one it may be becoming a very great entrepreneur, or owning a world class university, or becoming a great musician, to another it may be the desire to graduate with first class from the university, or having a global fashion outfit, whatever it is, it is a desire.
However, this desires are not wrong in any way whatsoever as long as it is not negative with the purpose of inflicting pain on another person, or taking advantage of another man’s rights or privileges, as long as it is targeted at making others better, and adding value to humanity, its good. It doesn’t matter if you are sixty years old or sixteen, it doesn’t matter what shape, colour, or sex you are, you deserve success, and not just that, you have everything it takes potentially to be extremely successful. The thoughts of your heart that makes you smile and fills you with so much joy can be achievable and can be the proof that you really deserve success. Success can be yours if only you are willing to allign with its demands.
WHO IS SUCCESS MEANT FOR?
The principles of success are universal, they are not the exclusive reserve of any race, tribe, country, elite group, gender or royal clan, success is meant for those who think they can succeed. Take a minute to think of great men and women around the world who are making tangible impact in their various areas of life, they all alligned themselves to the principles of success and it brought them great gain.
Whatever you think you were born to do, as long as you are willing to fully commit yourself fully to the demands you will get there. Men like Barak Obama, Martin Luther King, Oprah Winfrey, Michael Jackson, David Oyedepo, Fela Durotoye, etc. All of these men are just like you, they determined to work out the demands and they became very successful. that the degree to which you are willing to commit yourself to the principles that bring success, the greater the degree of success you experience. Some of these men were born with one adverse situation or the other, but they took advantage of those experiences to make their lives count.
Whatever reason it is you think it is that will be a hindrance to your actualizing success, it may be in the present or the past, nevertheless, those reasons are not good enough to be called an excuse, call it whatever; you may be an orphan, maybe you never had proper education, you may be blind, deaf, lame, maybe you even have a speech impediment, whatever it is, i want you to know that some people with even worse conditions and adverse circumstances of life were able to achieve success in one way or the other.
SUCCESS STARTS FROM BELIEVING
Success starts from believing that you believing first that you can be successful. The degree of your belief has a great influence on the dimension of success that you enjoy. Te mindset of success has to be in you so strongly such that it will be the fuel that will drive you to that desired success. The reason im saying having a strong desire to succeed is the first step in the journey of success is because that desire is what gives you the passion to keep pressing on towards the actualisation of the same. Anyone who thinks less of himself/herself cant get the best out of life because of the self-imposed limitations. It is said in the Bible that “As a man thinketh in his heart so is he”.
After this has been established, that you desperately desire to succeed, and you believe with all your heart that you can succeed and become one of the greatest success stories in your generation, then you need to identify what you want to be known for, what you want to succeed in. I believe strongly that we all came to this world with a special gift, talent, or calling, believe it or not, you have one. Its there in you, you may not have known this but it is true.
This is very important because all those who were able to reach the highest echelon of success were able to clearly, and in specific terms carve out, discover their gifts and talents. Those who ignore this fact will never be able to break through to the highest point of greatness because they will be living the life of another man, and pursuing the passion of another man. You may not be able to sing or dance, you may not be an artist, you may not be able to address a large audience but you do have a special gift, there is a special gift you have that is unique to you. This is what i consider to be the greatest key to success, identity.
I am willing to carry you through the journey of discovering success, it is a path you will never regret following, just remember that success is not the exclusive reserve of a race, sex, nation or elite group. Success is for you, Yes! I mean you, believe that you too can be successful.