South Africa’s Complex Challenges -by Seth Naicker

Being at home in the land of my birth, South Africa, over the last five weeks has been awesome. It is wonderful being amongst family and friends, and having our daughter Mahalia Khanya be with our “peeps.”

However, as much as the wonder and joy of being home is “something to write home about,” there is also much shock and disgust brewing for me personally, as well as for the broader South African society.

People are feeling the pinch of living in a South Africa where democracy has seemingly celebrated a capitalistic culture that does very little for a large population of impoverished people in this developing country. Within an environment where democracy is in need of a social consciousness, reform is needed for the large majority of people who have been denied their rights to basic needs of education, housing, water, etc.

There are several more complexities that South Africa is dealing with, related to a failing democracy and a government that is losing sight of the vision for which it was elected. The complexities of corruption, fraud, arms deals, the Zimbabwe crisis, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, violence and crime, children living on the streets, extreme poverty, etc., are those foremost in my mind and in discussions I have been having with people working in development, child and youth care, corporations, churches, and mosques.

People are facing outrageous hikes in costs on their home loans, where monthly repayments have doubled in just two months. Prices of meat and vegetables, oil, rice, and maize meal have escalated so that a low-income family cannot afford to even purchase toilet paper and bathing soap.

However, among all the chaos of my current-day South Africa, there remains a mystical faith that propels people in the most adverse circumstances to look forward to a brighter day. I have found it most difficult at times to understand how people in such dire straits could still have the audacity to hope and have faith that things will work out right. That mystical faith, with which I have come into contact in the land of my dreams, encourages me, challenges me, and changes me. It further centers, conscientizes, and mobilizes me to continue believing, striving, pursuing, and demanding transformation that will ensure a South Africa that is caring for all its people: citizen, immigrant, and refugee.

Seth Naicker is an activist for justice and reconciliation from South Africa. He is currently studying and working at Bethel University, in St. Paul, Minnesota, as the program and projects director for the Office of Reconciliation Studies. He can be reached at seth-naicker@bethel.edu or smnaick@hotmail.com

Recently I had a seminar for our Motivated.co.za members. The topic was Invest In Yourself & Win, I am currently writing a book on the topic and the DVD and Audiobook is already available.

Investing in yourself to win is about applying the principles of investing to help you really activate the full potential of your life, career, finances, businesses and relationships. If you invest in yourself, your finances will take care of themselves as well. In life as in money there are three options: You can Spend, Save or Invest.
When it comes to money all of us Spend (money disappears), some of us Save (money accrues little interest) and few of us Invest (Money Grows). That is the reason some have more and others loose even the little they have.

When it comes to life the same thing happen many Spend their lives, some Save themselves and few Invest In themselves. Very few few people invest in their lives to realise their life’s potential. Those who do gain incredible returns upon their investment until they don’t have to work so hard anymore as their investments start to pay off all on their own. Three Principles -Three Different Results. If You Want To Win Choose The One With Best Results. Choose Investment!

5 Keys to Investing In Yourself

1. Optimise Your Important Assets
2. Position Yourself For Success
3. Become Future Smart
4. Mind Your Own Business
5. Create Your Financial Future

In the book and seminars we go into the depth of each of these keys, look out for the book at Motivated.co.za and the E-course as well that will help you to invest in your life to win. Choose today to start investing in your life and see different results. If you want to see change start doing things differently:

Definition of Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein

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Buhle Dlamini is an Entrepreneur, Speaker and Writer as well as the Founder of Young & Able Youth Advisory Services cc, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Young & Able is an implementing partner to Heartlines a values-based Mass Media Initiative. Get Buhle’s FREE monthly Success Newsletter by visiting his website at www.youngable.com and visit get and stay motivated at www.motivated.co.za

Xenophobia must STOP,

by Seth Naicker

As a South African , it is a down right shame that brothers and sisters from other countries in Africa are being treated with such blatant disregard.These acts of violence and injustice that has transpired is repulsive, shocking and disgusting!
However, we must put the pressure on the government to address this matter of xenophobia. Our president needs to speak out against it, without delay of or need for investigation. The news report is definitive enough and cannot be denied, so president Mbeki must stand up and condemn these acts of violence without delay.

The complexity of South African’s who are acting out in frustration of their own circumstances, as people who are agitated by the non-delivery of democratic promises, can and must be understood, but not to the extent that we take out our frustration on our fellow African brothers and sisters, who are need of our support, understanding and love.

It is my hope that businesses, corporate, non-profits, churches, mosques, temples and any form of organized religion in the townships, suburbs and all over South Africa, make a stand for justice and play a major role in bringing these acts of violence to an end. It is my hope that government will quicken there steps and intervene, but we cannot wait for investigation and final reports. It is not enough to say this xenophobia must stop, we must see action by way of a national state of emergency to stop this nonsense immediately!

Let us do what ever it is we can to stop these human rights abuses in South Africa, where our own history does not allow us to forget the days when our comrades were being housed in exile, by countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Kenya. The collective memory of our people must be reminded of those days within Apartheid and this violence must stop!

We need not grow weary in this time, neither must we grow less afro-centric or become pessimistic about our continent, our people, our motherland, our beloved South Africa. Instead we should call for peace, and stand for justice. Our collective memory as an African people must rise again with a consciousness that reminds us of our centeredness in “I am because we are.”

I am disturbed but I am African
I am discouraged but I am African
I am perplexed but I am African

The ‘I am Africaness’ of our people, our continent and our South African nation must be called to remember that
“I am because we are”, for we are African. Let this message ring out from the top of Table mountain to the lowly bushveld of Johannesburg. May our understanding of being African bring an end to these merciless acts of violence!

Blessings and ‘alutta continua’, “la lucha continua,” the struggle continues.
Shalom, Shanti, La Paz sea contigo, As-Salamu’Alaykum – Peace be upon you!

Yours sincerely
Seth Naicker

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Seth Naicker is an activist for Justice and Reconciliation, from South Africa. Seth is currently studying and working at Bethel University in Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA.

‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.’ Edmund Burke.

For the last 14 years I have been proud to call myself a South African. I have travelled the world sharing the miraculous story of hate turning to hope and racism to reconciliation. I have praised the code of ubuntu that most of us South Africans have claimed to live by.

Man on a rampage in Ramaphosa

But I have lived to see another story unfolding that I am not so proud of. I have seen and heard of violent crimes and abuse of women and children and now the Xenophobic and cowardly attacks on unsuspecting immigrants in our communities. The last 10 days have seen the escalation of these attacks and created thousands of displaced people overnight. What is sad is that many have very young children with no food, clothes and blankets. Community halls and police station have become refugee centre, for those seeking refuge from the violent mobs.

      My wife Stacey and some of the Young & Able team members have been visiting some of the affected areas since Friday and have realised the tremendous need for assistance. Olefile (Y&A Consultant) spoke with a man in Alexandra who seemed to have lost hope and did his best to comfort and give hope. Today I spent some time in Tokoza Community Centre next to the police station. I was greeted by a very sobering scene, hundreds of people some of whom still have blood stains and and fear written all over their faces. Jane the local council member who has been there since Saturday (who looks exhausted) escorted us over the bodies of people who occupying any space they can salvage. We realised  that some of the food Stacey and the Salvation Army organised the day before is running low and this time we had brought nothing with us today. We promised that we would get more assistance.

I realised that every little bit does help and also that all that is needed for evil to win is for us to do nothing! We can overcome evil with good and it’s not just by talking it by doing. I saw local man standing guard to protect people inside. These were local South African people who are saying with their presence ‘NOT IN OUR NAME’. Others are giving food and blankets and hours of their time.

I believe that there are good people in South Africa with compassion and who want to act. The opportunity is now. We can’t tolerate hateful or demeaning talk in our circles about immigrants. People are people no matter where they come from and when we dehumanise others we ourselves loose our humanity. Our words and attitudes towards others are just as important as our actions.

I am challenging you to do something! You cannot continue merrily while things go up in flames. Make a decision to do something. If you are out of Johannesburg reach out to those in your sphere. If you are in Johannesburg respond to the call for help and use the existing points of contact. We are doing our bit as Young & Able and Heartlines, you can join us if you can. See details below.

Sincerely

Buhle Dlamini
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Buhle Dlamini is an Entrepreneur, Speaker and Writer as well as the Founder of Young & Able Youth Advisory Services cc, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Buhle is also a consulting Project Manager to Heartlines a values-based Mass Media Initiative. Get Buhle’s FREE monthly Success Newsletter by visiting his website at www.youngable.com

Do Something Now! Call to action Click here to help Assist NOW! We have identified Tokoza as the area that is in need and we are asking for practical support for Jane and people working there. We will take whatever people donate through us directly to the Tokoza Community Centre. No Money will be accepted by us for this; only donations in materials mentioned. Money can be donated to the RED CROSS Click Here To Help

What is Needed Food, Rice, Meat, Milk,Fresh Vegies and non perishables etc. Disposable Nappies Jars of Baby food Soap Sanitary Pads Blankets Volunteers Click here to Help Join the Movement for Good ForGood.co.za

“The real source of wealth and capital in this new era is not material things.. it is the human mind, the human spirit, the human imagination, and our faith in the future.”
Steve Forbes

The 2008 Forbes World Billionaires List was released last month and Patrice Motsepe becoming the first black South African to make the list. The youngest of all is 23-year-old Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is quite possibly the world’s youngest self-made billionaire ever. Mark’s innovation has not only catapulted him to the dizzy heights of wealth but has changed millions of people’s lives around the world. Innovation has become a very important factor of life and business these days and if you want a piece of the action you need to release your creative juices now.

We are living in the era of innovation, where everything and anything is possible if you can conceive it and make it work. Daily in the silicon valleys of the world entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs are hard at work to come up with the next best thing and when successful their endevours are often rewarded with millions if not billions. Here in our country there are still many gaps that need to be filled. Even for those who are employed there are often numerous opportunities that can be taken in the workplace with a little creativity. All it takes is for you to let your creative juices flow and change your life.
When you hear about these people who come up with innovations that become big hits, do you ever think ‘why didn’t I think of that’. Think of Nate Stahl that came up with the Post-It Notes that we now use everyday, while working for 3M. It was so simple, so common sense and she’s the only one made millions out her invention. The question is how can you become more creative and start getting into the innovation zone. Business is all about innovation, those who succeed in their careers also do it by being more creative than the herd. But can anyone be creative and innovative? Well you be the judge by applying some of these exercise to let your creative juices flow:

Mess Up Your Routine –

We all get stuck in the rut of doing things the way we’ve always done them. Sticking to well worn routine is a sure way to remain uncreative. Think of a new route to work, start your work schedule the other way round, change one habit that you have. Messing up your routine forces you to think creatively.
Keep an Ideas Notebook –

Ideas come up anytime and anywhere. The stroke of genius often hits when we least expect it. I have kept a notebook since I was 14 years old. I have come up with the craziest ideas and some of those ideas have become my businesses successful and some duds but recording the ideas when they came is what made the difference.
Get Fresh Viewpoints -

Magazines, blogs (YoungEntrepreneur.co.za and SucceedNow), books and websites can open your mind to new ideas. Visit the library and read books on topics that intrigue you or related to your field. Attending seminars and workshops that will expose you to a new way of thinking. Expand your viewpoint and enlarge your creativity.
Ask Questions -

Asking questions like “Is there another to do this?” often leads to a mental engagement that can lead to a new solution to an old problem. If you could change anything about your work, your business and the service that you offer what would it be? Ask questions and think about possible answers and you could be on your way to the Forbes Billionaires List.
So there you are, do you have what it takes to become a creative genius and change your life, career and business? The answer is in your hands, now you have the tools, use them.
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Buhle Dlamini is an Entrepreneur, Speaker and Writer as well as the Founder of Young & Able Youth Advisory Services cc, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Buhle is also a consulting Project Manager to Heartlines a values-based Mass Media Initiative. Get Buhle’s FREE monthly Success Newsletter by visiting his website at www.youngable.com

Website: www.youngable.com
Listen:http://yaab.mypodcast.com Online Mall:www.buyonline.co.za

Success, like freedom is not free. Many are waiting for success to be passed out in buckets for free and that is not going to happen. Many believe that those who are now successful should share their success so that others may get it for free. It is a notion that many want to even fight for as their right. This is ridiculous to the extreme! Success in anything, education, business, career and relationships, comes at a cost. Success has to cost you something; otherwise it is no success at all. By it’s very definition success speaks about overcoming something to be in a better position.
Too many of us expect that those who are now successful should pass on their success to the rest of us. The reality is that they can’t do that even if they could then it would no longer be success. You need to sacrifice, sweat and work towards your own success. The cost of success is different for all of us depending on the area we want to succeed in.

Here are some tips for you to your way to success:
• Define Your Success

Firstly, define what success you seek in your life. Success means different things to different people at different times and places. What success to do you seek in your career/business, finances, relationships and service to others? Clarity on this area will save you years of being a wandering generality. Failure to define what success means to you will confine you to a life of mediocrity. Dr Myles Munroe said “The greatest threat to your potential is the satisfaction with where you are”. Ask where do I want to improve, what do I want to excel in and pursue it.
• Count The Cost
The concept of counting the cost is not new, we do it all the time. Before we purchase a certain brand of product we ask ourselves if we really want to spend that money on that product or we could do without it. We weigh the odds and then we make our decision. The same thing applies to success. Before striking out to start a business of your own you count the cost. How much time will I need, how much education do I need, how much money do I need. It is essential to be clear or to have an idea of the cost you will have to pay for your success. Clarity about the cost will help you to strategise and build reserves to carry you through the process to your success.
• Plan For Your Success
My favourite quote, which I have used many a time in my talks and articles, is from Allan Kay “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” This powerfully illustrate the role we have to play in our own future success. It will not be handed to us we have to work towards it. Even the children of the very rich are not successful until they have done something that they can say “I worked for this, I succeeded it making it come to pass.” What plans do you have to lay out for your success? What is going to be your first or next step towards success in any area of your life. If you are not willing to put in some planning time with practical steps for you to take, don’t expect success to come knocking. Opportunity knocks but you’ve got to get off your behind and open the door.
In closing, here is the deal, success is not free it will cost you something. The question is; are you willing to pay the price? The elevator to success is broken you have to take the steps.
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Buhle Dlamini is an Entrepreneur, Speaker and Writer as well as the Founder of Young & Able Youth Advisory Services cc, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Buhle is also a consulting Project Manager to Heartlines a values-based Mass Media Initiative. Get Buhle’s FREE monthly Success Newsletter by visiting his website at www.youngable.com

President Thabo Mbeki himself has openly provided critique of our South African economy and the fact that we have bought into a capitalist economy, which ultimately further disenfranchises the poor and the marginalized. Our concern in corporate South Africa should be, “How can we find a hybrid of an economic system that is governed by intentions to seek economic growth within a model that simultaneously seeks to empower the multitudes of South Africans that are of the lower class, who are in many cases stuck in generic poverty and struggling just to make earnings to put bread on the table.

There seems to be a social process of hegemony, where people of influence and power are not willing to question the tremendous flourishing of the rich and the elites in a South Africa where post apartheid has not dealt with issues of chronic poverty, housing, unemployment etc.

Why is it that people, organizations and institutions have no social conscience and desire to ask critical questions about the state and the plight of the poor? Instead we come up with simple answers to complex situations. Simple answers such as, “the poor are poor because they are lazy; they don’t seek out opportunities, they are too happy to just go from door to door begging and they don’t have drive.”

What response will corporate South Africa provide to the growing gap between the rich and the poor? Will corporate South Africa choose to be silent, by ignoring the plight of the people, or will corporate South Africa come alive to having a concern for the social demise of many of our country’s sons and daughters.

There may be a need for a radical revolution within our economy, where we seek out a custom made socialized democracy that is driven by a concern for the development of all South Africans, a hybrid economy that allows profit without a cost that further denies the healthy development of our people.

Blessings and ‘alutta continua’, “la lucha continua,” the struggle continues.
Shalom, Shanti, La Paz sea contigo, As-Salamu’Alaykum – Peace be upon you!

Yours sincerely
Seth Naicker
Program and projects director
Office of Reconciliation Studies
Bethel University
3900 Bethel Drive,# 2083
St. Paul, Minnesota
55112-6999, USA
Tel: 651 638 6417
seth-naicker@bethel.edu
indiAfrique – Training and Development
smnaick@hotmail.com

One of the exciting books I have read in recent years is “Lucky or Smart” by Bo Peabody, a successful entrepreneur who made a lot of money by starting several businesses that he sold and made him rich. In the book he looks at why he became so successful, was it luck or was it his ingenuity? He admits it was a bit of both but mostly luck which he created as he went along.

We often hear people saying that to succeed we need to be creating our own luck. Sounds great, but does one actually go about doing that. And hey isn’t luck all about chance anyway? Well if that is so, how can some people be repeatedly lucky in different areas of their lives while others hit the dead end? There must be something that these lucky people keep doing that makes them lucky more often than not. Wouldn’t you want to be one of them instead of just observing from the distance?

If you are serious about creating your own luck as you go along then you need to consider the art of creating your own luck. Let’s take a look at what lucky people do consistently to set themselves apart from the herd:

• Take The Plunge- Seize Opportunities

Lucky people take the plunge while others dither and tap dance on the edge of opportunity. Every single day we are presented with opportunities to do things that could easily lead to other bigger, better things. But, because many of us undermine or completely neglect these opportunities of chance, we rarely ever see where the rabbit hole leads. We continue on with our merry little lives avoiding anything out of the ordinary instead of looking for a chance to do something or go somewhere different. If you ask the so-called lucky people what brought about their lucky break you’ll often hear them say things like: “I just happened to be talking to this stranger who turned out to be so-and-so and the rest is history”. Opportunities are created out of chance meetings, chance conversations that turn out to be vital in roads to something bigger.

People who create their own luck often take a plunge in starting businesses that seem like a big risk. They attend functions where they might meet people who hold a key to their luck. They often talk to strangers or risk humiliating themselves, which they often do, but the newspapers only capture the moment of their luck/breakthrough.

You can choose to be one of the lucky people by deciding to take the plunge more often in your life. Not all the plunges you take will lead to great opportunities but the more often you do it the more likely you’ll hit the mark. Decide to take more opportunities that come your way to do something different, something a little risky and see what happens to your luck factor.

The best definition of luck is “luck occurs when preparedness meets opportunity”

• Play Your Strong Cards.

Know your strengths and try to use them. Know your weakness and try to avoid having to use them. Most of us spend our time trying to improve on our weaknesses instead of perfecting our strengths. At school if we were bad I math but good at everything else, we were encouraged to spend more time on Math. This kind of thinking has left many of us average because we do not have any area that we really excel in. If you really want to create your own luck you need to start focusing on your strong cards. Don’t pretend to have strengths that you don’t have. You can develop strengths and overcome weaknesses. But make sure you identify your specific skills, aptitudes, knowledge, and contacts and use them wherever you can. This will increase you chances of getting lucky.

As you develop and play to your strengths your reputation spreads as well. When I decided to develop my strengths as a communicator it wasn’t long before people were referring me to perfect strangers and people I probably would never have met. When you play to your strengths and excel you open up opportunities for yourself that remain closed who are happy with being average.

• Give More Than You Take.

Stingy people constitute of the unluckiest bunch around. If you want to attract lucky people to your life and business, you need to be prepared to give. You need to go the extra mile for others without worrying too much about keeping score. In my experience the old saying “what goes around comes around” is definitely true in business and in life and “it” comes around when you least expect it believe me. The Bible is not mistaken when it says, “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” When you constantly look for ways to give to others instead of taking, you’ll be amazed at how much you get as a result.

There are many ways to give: Give more compliments than you receive; give more value than what you are paid, give a little expect a little, give more expect more. The hand that is already full cannot receive anymore but the hand that is able releases easily also receives easily. Consider some ways you can give more than you take to those around you. If all you do is take from others you quickly become someone that others avoid. If you never pay for the coffee when invited by friends to coffee, your invitations become fewer.

So are you ready to create your own luck? The art of creating your own luck becomes easier the more you practice it. When the above become part of your everyday life you’ll start hearing people talk about how lucky you are and they’ll be right. So take every opportunity to get lucky, no one is going give you piece of good fortune; you’ve got to create it yourself.

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Buhle Dlamini is an Entrepreneur, Speaker and Writer as well as the Founder of Young & Able Youth Advisory Services cc, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Buhle is also a consulting Project Manager to Heartlines a values-based Mass Media Initiative. Get Buhle’s FREE monthly Success Newsletter by visiting his website at www.youngable.com

“The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” - Allan Kay

One of my most successful presentations to date has been “Owning The Future” which looks the 5 keys to being at the forefront in your field. As we look at business, career and personal success it is important to note that there is not much we can do about our past. And the present, well, we’re in it right now, if we haven’t played our cards right in the past the only thing we can do with the present is give it our best. It goes without saying that what we all have power to shape is our future.

We, each and every one of us are in a position to make decisions right now that will have an impact on our future and in turn decide whether we are in the lead or lagging behind. In “Owning The Future” I speak about the fact that if we want to be at the forefront we need to get into the habit of making future-based decisions. Let me put it into terms that you might understand better: If 8 years ago you had decided to invest a portion of your money in a company like Google which back then was just a start-up company, you probably would not need to work again for the rest your life.

The art of making future-based decisions is what sets apart those who succeed spectacularly from those who just get by or even fail. I hasten to point out that this habit does not come naturally to most of us because we are all products of our environment. We are often obsessed with our past and our present that we have little or no time dedicated to our future. Consider the wisdom of the ant, oh sluggard, which works hard in the summer (sometimes carrying food ten times its own weight) in preparation for winter when food will be scarce. Just to paraphrase from the Bible.

As you enter into yet another year in 2008 you have a great opportunity for you to create your desired future. Let us look at what you need to look at in inventing your ideal year:

1. Decide To Invent Your Best Year Yet

Nothing ever gets done until a firm decision has been made about anything, that’s just how things work. Realising that you have a choice in how your future will and can pan out is a liberating revelation. Embrace this revelation and decide to make this your best year yet. Unforeseen circumstances will come but the difference this time will be your determination to deal with whatever you are going to face to make this your best year. So then, just do it, decide to make 2008 the best year yet in your business, life, career and relationships.

2. Turn Intentions Into Actions

As I look at my 2007, although it was my best year yet, including the highlight of receiving an award from Desmond Tutu for HEARTLINES. I also can’t help but think about the many good intentions that remained just that – intentions. The areas I succeeded in were by far the areas where I turned these intentions into actions. If you are going to create your desired future it is about time you sat down and listed your best intentions for this year. After listing these intentions engage in a process of action planning. Ask yourself what steps you need to turn your great intentions into great actions. One of the things I am doing this year is allocate days of my week to accomplishing one of my important tasks. Every week I will make sure that I am Writing, Networking, Studying, Relaxing and Planning.

This way I will make sure that everyday I am turning good intentions into action. Please allow me to explain this a little more at the risk of being long-winded. If I have allocated Networking to Wednesdays it means although I will do my other day-to-day work I will make sure I network somehow. Whether it’s arranging coffee date with a business connection I am interested working with or attending a function, at the end of the day I must have done something to do with networking.

 3. Enjoy The Ride

It was Joyce Meyer who said “Enjoy where you are at while on your way to where you’re headed.” I really love this phrase because it really captures the essence of what I want to emphasize here. What is the point of slaving for a great future if you torture yourself today? One of the greatest revelations is that life is nothing but a series of todays. The reason you are working towards a better future is so that your todays become better as you go along. My past was difficult; I have had to deal with many things to get where I am. I now have a much better, much more fulfilled life today than I did yesterday. As I work to make tomorrow even better I need to enjoy today to the fullest. Take for example today as my flight took off from Johannesburg to yet another destination, I smiled and savoured the moment and thought about the time I had to work in other people’s gardens the whole weekend to make enough money to buy a week’s 3rd class train ticket. It might be a silly example but the fact remains that we have to enjoy the ride today on our way to even better tomorrows.

So there it is, as Allan Kay said at the beginning of this article “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.” So I have given you some pointers you can start to action immediately to create your desired future.

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Buhle Dlamini is an Entrepreneur, Speaker and Writer as well as the Founder of Young & Able Youth Advisory Services cc, helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams. Buhle is also a consulting Project Manager to Heartlines a values-based Mass Media Initiative. Get Buhle’s FREE monthly Success Newsletter by visiting his website at www.youngable.com

One of the things I say to people who want to succeed in their lives but feel that they lack resources to do so is this: “You are never without something to start with.” The key to unleashing success in whatever area in your life is realizing that you already have something to start with. The biggest hindrance to people really achieving great goals in their lives is the crippling “Illusion of Lack of Resources”.

The illusion of lack of resources means that we are always starting from the point of lack. Most dreams and ideas never even see the light of day, because we the dreamers decide prematurely that we won’t have the resources needed to achieve them. But, when we realize that we already have something to start with it can change the course of our lives, businesses and careers.

You are only responsible and accountable for what you already have, you cannot account for what is currently beyond your reach. When you are clear about your starting point it will make it easier for you to turn that into success. We always think of money as “the” resource we need to achieve our goals, but in reality money is a very small part of the equation. If you speak to the really wealthy people you’ll soon realize that the resources they cherish most are the ones we all have access to and money is the least of them. This is why the really wealthy people will be able to make their money back in short space of time even if they loose all of it today. The same can be said about some in real poverty, if you gave them millions today, they’ll manage to loose it all within 3 years.

Your most valuable resources readily available, they’re your Time, Energy, Network, Knowledge, Talent and Relationships. There is no monetary figure attached to these, you cannot buy them although you can maximize each and everyone of them. If you are serious about your success you need to learn the art of using your resources properly. There are really three ways to use your resources: Spend, Save or Invest them.

Invest in Your “Real Resources”

Everyday we have a choice about how we are going to use the resources we have available to us. If we choose to spend our resources we’ll have nothing to show for it in the future, you can only spend the coin once, once it’s spent it cannot be used again. If we choose to save our resources it will be better than spending them but they will never really be more than they are now they’ll just pile up and collect dust. If, however, we choose to invest our resources we get something revolutionary, we double, triple and quadruple what we started with. Investing your resources is the secret of success that is so simple and in our face that we have to duck out of the way to avoid being hit by it. And yet we choose to duck and not use it to our advantage everyday.

What about doing the following and see what happens:

• Invest Your Time Wisely: Instead of squandering and spending your time in front of the television or just doing nothing, start thinking about ways you can invest it on things that will give you a return into the future. You can’t really save time, so why not look at your daily activities as expenditures and investments of your time and choose to focus more on your investments.

• Invest Your Network: It’s been said many times that it is not what you know but it’s whom you know. There is a lot of truth in that statement. You can know a lot about many things but if you don’t have a quality network that can help you turn your knowledge into success through opportunities, you’ll miss out. You can invest in developing your network in terms of its quantity, quality and the contact you have with it.

• Invest In Your Energy: Energy is a renewable resource that can be managed to lead to quality results. Energy needs to be renewed, and this is where many fail in their journey to success. Failing to invest I your energy will lead to some serious consequences that can even be fatal. You invest in your energy by looking after your health, exercising, eating correctly and relaxing. You can then use your energy to achieve anything you desire and not have a breakdown or heart attack.

• Invest In Your Knowledge: Knowledge is power but unused information is a waste. Never before has it been easier to increase one’s knowledge than now. Information is readily available today but very few invest in turning that information into knowledge that they can use to change the world and their circumstances. We all have knowledge but the more we invest in increasing our knowledge the effects are far reaching into pockets and in our influence.

• Invest In Your Talent: You’ve probably noticed by now that you are not good at everything. There are some things that just come naturally to you while others have to work a bit harder to achieve the same results. We call those things your talents. It happens sometimes that one has many talents but in most occasions we have one or two that stand out. Failing to invest in improving and mastering your God-given talent is a tragedy. Investing in your areas of talent you can turn the dormant potential into success.

• Invest In Your Relationships: One thing that most people think about on their deathbeds is how they could have improved their relationships with loved ones. Success is not success if you have no one to share it with. Investing in your relationships will make sure that you have a quality life no matter what your bank balance.

There is a whole lot more I can say about investing in your success, but remember this one thing you have so much to work with right now if you utilize it all properly money will just be a bonus result. Choose to invest in your success by investing your current, available resources. It will change your life!