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Sunday, 23 October 2016

INDEPENDENCE MESSAGE TO THE ZAMBIAN YOUTHS AND EMPLOYEES


Zambia turns 52 years old since it obtained independence from colonial rule in 1964. In these past  years we have seen some levels of development , increase in road networks , hospitals , Universities and other infrastructure which came about after liberalisation of the economy . I must confess however, that Zambia could have done far much better than this after 52 years of self rule . Currently, whether big or small  we are witnessing high alarming levels of poverty, high unemployment levels just to mention a few.The economy is worse , kwacha is weak , prices of essential commodities are skyrocketing , economic productivity is sluggish and it's just too much over dependence on copper which we can't even control the prices .

Generally speaking, Zambians are intelligent , friendly and can be hardworking but most youths and employees exhibit high levels of  laziness from my own observations especially after working in both private and public sectors. The dependence syndrome is too much to a large extent which has given birth to the dream killer called LAZINESS which is well articulated by the author of the "Book Free Yourself from the Dream Killer " by Choolwe M Choolwe. He rightly points out that laziness is one of the most , if not the most , lethal and universal dream killer. He further illustrates that, " A highly motivated lazy person is of no use to his own dreams . A highly resourced lazy person will sooner or latter , lose his resources because laziness hinders the most important ingredient of dream attainment which is action." When you interact with fellow youths , you will hear a lot of dreams a lot of wishy washy but all these not accompanied by equivalent actions which results into mere dreams . I have seen some  relatives and friends who started well and earned some good cash but laziness was given a multiple entry visa and today it's a sorry sight . Friends you have the fundamental right to deny LAZINESS VISA in your life

Joel A Barker said, "vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time . Vision with action can change the world ". This simply tells us that we can dream all what we want eg nice jobs , nice cars , nice houses , great qualifications , great businesses etc but without corresponding action all this is but a mere dream and you will not actualise any . In my few years of existence , I have never seen anyone who has achieved much without putting in much . All those who get genuine excellent results study extra hard to obtain those grades, they put in more hours of study than an average student . When I was pursuing my masters degree, I decided to pursue another post graduate Diploma course at the same time and believe me it was not easy because at one point I had to do 13 courses and my only strategy was to sleep less hours during that semester to balance my courses and reduce or on UNNECESSARY activities so that I could study hard and smarter. Finally, I completed all the programs without failing any subjects. Always do activities that a NECESSARY to your dreams . If I was damn lazy to study , I would have failed or simply quitted . Prosperity does not come on a silver plate, you have to sweat for it and there is no shortcut to that.

I am pursued that Zambia and her people can do better that this if only we can remove laziness in our approach to economic development starting from individuals to the Nation . No laziness in looking at best economic policies which will see more entrepreneurs, more private investments owned by
Zambians with other partners , promotion of property rights which will enforce sense of ownership
and jealously guard our investments . Remember , everyone's business is nobody's business ! When someone borrows a car, there is a tendency of even overspending , careless driving because it's not yours but when it's yours you drive carefully and protect it from avoidable accidents . As youths , let us own our decisions and investments.Protect Zambia in your own capacity because this is our land given by the sovereign God. 

As to the employed youths including myself , employers are interested in deliverables-Results and Results. Recently, I have had the privilege of training staff in Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and it's interesting to note that most employees waste a lot of time on works that doesn't really answer the Key Performance Questions (KPQs) which makes a number of employees not delivering to as expected. It is said, Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” 

Focus on your KPIs and this will earn you even a promotion . Promotion does not come to lazy people unless it's not objective .The bible says , "a lazy fellow is a pain to his employers." Proverbs 10. Do you really want to be a pain to your employers ? Remember many people are applying for the same job you have , so don't take your job for granted , give it a job security though your hard work and delivering results . 

I am confident that Zambia will arise and do better if only we can work more hard, remove laziness and focus on delivering  results than taking too much. As a youth, divorce laziness permanently in whatever you are doing, be it studies, work , business , prayer etc. Take it personal and be radical as nothing good will knock on your do , you have to go out there and work for it. No more manna in any forms
to fall from heaven, you have to work for it. 


I would encourage you to read the book "Free Yourself From The Dream Killer " by Choolwe M. Choolwe. This book has inspired me a lot to work even harder .I refuse to be lazy in my life . 


Happy Independence Day to Zambia and her lovely people .

Monday, 3 October 2016

TIPS FROM HR CHAMPION TO EMPLOYEES AT ALL LEVELS




1.  Don’t forget: gossip makes empires crumble. Don’t act the partisan in public and pick sides behind      the scenes. That’s what makes a workplace toxic.



2.  A fire can’t burn without oxygen. You can’t do everything by yourself--delegate.! Your team is               talented, so let them show what they can do!
3.  Think  outside the box (assuming you created one  for yourself ) and give a fresh perspective to old      problem - allow yourself to use 3D glasses 😎 to look at work related problems.

4.  Learn when you need to learn and learn when to say no as well as when to be give silent answers .      Learn when to lean on someone , you are not all knowing (Omniscient )

5. Be aware of yourself and your surroundings.


6. Sometimes growth comes from doing things that scares you.Take on a project/work that you find         challenging. It may require more work than you’re used to—But don’t stop. Keep working at it.


7.  Once in a while do yourself a favour: go to a quiet space, unplug, pick one thing, and do it well-         meditate !
Take a walk, exercise often

8. Remember, you take on the emotions ( good or bad) that are around you. Taking on the emotions of    the people around you can get pretty tiring, so sometimes you need to step back and recharge. Thus,    develop strategies for knowing when you need to step away and be alone. It will make you happier and more productive—in the long run !




9. Your  honesty policy will take you far. Good leaders don’t want to surround themselves with                 sycophants, they want those who will tell it like it is ( black is black not white ).
   Make honest your  close friend !


10.  Don't feel sorry for yourself and hide in excuses , work and work on improving your ASK 
      (Attitude , Skills and Knowledge )!

ASK-upgrade yourself through reading

 

Sunday, 2 October 2016

PERSUADED ATTITUDE

Long ago there were three Hebrews who lived righteous lives, yet things didn't go so well for them. They encountered evil, but rather than succumb like everyone else around them, they challenged their situation. At first matters only became worse, but in the end they came through smelling like roses.
Life isn't easy, and sometimes it deals you a rotten hand. Don't succumb to the weight of it all; find hope in the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Because what you need is a miracle in the fire.
An attitude can be as a positive or negative evaluation of people, objects, events, activities, and ideas. It could be concrete, abstract or just about anything in your environment. It can also be said as a way of thinking or feeling about something .It all about vantage point or frame of mind . How is your attitude ?  When you are threatened , how do you react , do you succumb to pressure ? 
Perhaps we can learn something from the story of the these Hebrews guys as summarised: 


King Nebuchadnezzar reacts in anger to the stand taken by the three Hebrew boys and determines to destroy them in the fiery furnace.  He orders them bound up and cast into a furnace heated some seven times hotter than it was normally heated.  The fire is so hot that it slays the men who toss them into the fire.  These guys even when threatened with a horrible death, refused to bend or to bow.  They take their stand in spite of the personal cost.  
When you read the account of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Daniel 3 as summarised above,  one thing is apparent: they were fully persuaded. Nothing could make 
them bow to Nebuchadnezzar's statue - no threats, no consequence, no punishment. They were fully persuaded of the promises of God and in their obedience to him (Daniel 3:16-18).
If life has pushed you too far, it is time to rise up with the attitude of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - an attitude where you are fully persuaded.

 God can educate me...Even if he does t , I will not bow down.

 God can promote me...Even if he doesn't , I will not bow down

 God can grow my business...Even if he doesn't , I will not bow down .

 God can restore my marriage... Even if he doesn't, I will not bow down.
 God will cause me to prosper... Even if he doesn't, I will not bow down.
Things may be heating up in your life - divorce, jobless, family problems , relationship issues ,custody battles, sickness, mental illness etc .  You took a stand for God but things just got worse. You found yourself staring down a fire. A fire like none you've seen. You thought God would save you from the fire. You prayed God would save you from the fire. But it remains. 
Don't despair. Because when the devil turns up the heat, God does too.Remember what the Lord said: But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, O Jacob, And he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; 
You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, 
they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you” (Isaiah 43:1-2).
God may choose not to save you from the fire but He will bring you through it. When you walk through the fire of cancer, sickness, divorce, financial ruin, career problem , school issues, family issue etc  - you shall not be burned.
Nebuchadnezzar made the fire so hot it killed some of his strongest soldiers (Daniel 3:22). Fire is deadly - for some. But you will not be truly burned. If you are fully persuaded of the promises of God, you will not be destroyed.
You expected the miracle outside the fire. You thought God would save you before things went that far. But for you, the miracle is in the fire.
When Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fire, their chains broke, Jesus walked with them, and they did not smell of smoke (Daniel 3:24-27).
When you walk through the fire, chains will break. Satan has used your situation to keep
you living a small and contained life. No longer! Chains break in the fire.
According to the promise of Isaiah 43, Jesus will walk with you in the fire. Whatever the trouble or trial may be, you will have a tangible sense of his presence. Jesus reveals himself in the fire. Watch for deeper revelation and worship experiences in your life.
God can rescue me from any diseases any any situations, Even if he doesn't, I will not give up and bow down to the devil with his crooked ways !