In the Dictionary, the word “empower,” means to give (someone) the authority or power to do something. For example you can empower someone in your organization to sign checks on your behalf. It also means to make (someone) stronger and more confident, especially in controlling his or her life and claiming his or her rights.
However, you can never empower someone who cannot empower himself or herself. Trying to empower a lazy and unmotivated person is like using a twig to pull out an elephant from a ditch.
Why should you seek personal empowerment? Because you cannot succeed in this world by sitting down in one place, folding your hands and hoping that something good will happen. The world is a testing ground and only the wise and strong survive. Jesus told his followers not to venture into the world until they received empowerment from heaven. If they needed empowerment 2000 years ago, you can imagine how much you and I need it today.
Second, you need empowerment to say “No” to temptation. A young girl called to ask what to do because every man who proposed to her wanted to sleep with her before marriage. Each time she refused, they abandoned her. She needed empowerment to sustain her personal values. I assured her that the man meant for her will honor her enough to wait until after marriage. All others before him are just sex seekers, not husbands.
Third, you need empowerment to experience economic success. Every normal person wants to make an honest living and leave something behind for his or her children. Without economic empowerment, you cannot do it. Those who have been looking for job in the past 3 years can testify to the importance of economic empowerment.
Fourth, you need spiritual empowerment to contend with the challenges of the invisible world. The pressures of the invisible will either make you a better person or a spiritual rogue. At the end of your life, what will count most is your character. The most important question when you stand before the Eternal Majesty would be, “What kind of soul were you?”
Let me share with you 8 keys to personal empowerment.
- Knowledge – Benjamin Disraeli said, “Ignorance never settles a question.” Knowledge is the first ingredient of empowerment. You can never change a man until you change what he knows. Most so-called empowerment programs fail because they do not come packaged with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to drive and sustain change. Knowledge is the diesel for empowerment. We are a very religious nation. Many religious people are prisoners of ignorance. They go from camp to camp; visit prophet after prophet, preacher after preacher but nothing changes in their lives. Why? Because you can never cure ignorance with prayer or get rid of stupidity by divination.
- Personal responsibility. Until you take personal responsibility for your life, you will simply drift at the mercy of circumstances and other people’s plans for you. Until you take personal responsibility for your life you will continue to foolishly blame witches, wizards and ancestral spirits. Someone said, “Mr. Ogbo you have never had spiritual attack (Who told you?). That’s why you don’t know how powerful demons are.” May I ask you sir, “Why is it easier for Africans to believe in demons than in God?” Anyhow, you chose to fear demons and I chose to fear God. You can choose what to fear but you cannot choose the consequences of that choice.
- Reexamine your values and beliefs. You are where you are today because of the values and beliefs you have inherited or acquired over the years. One of the most destructive values is the it-doesn’t-matter belief. Wear your seat belt and you say it doesn’t matter. Don’t cheat in your exams and you say it doesn’t matter; spend more quality time with your children and you say it doesn’t matter; invest your bonus salary and you say it does not matter.; stop eating junk food and start exercising three times a week but you also say it does not matter. Then, one day the unexpected happens, and you discover that truly it did matter. If your values and beliefs are destroying your future, reengineer them.
- Continuous personal education. Thankfully, some people are beginning to read. Others bury their opportunities in Blackberry and Facebook addiction. If you are not reading, you are dying. There is so much wisdom and insight hidden in books. If you can spend more time on books than on BB and Facebook, your performance and income could double or triple in one year.
- Environment. The place you live, the place you work, the people you have around you, are they building you up or tearing you down? Before the patriarch Abraham could fulfill his destiny, he had to leave his disempowering environment. You can never achieve your destiny in the wrong environment. It’s like fish trying to survive on land.
- Get a mentor! Being without a mentor in your life is like being thrown into the middle of the ocean from an airplane. Be accountable to someone under God.
- Talent, skills and abilities. Your success is hidden in the expression of your talent. People sit at home complaining that they don’t have connections. This country has 160 million people and you don’t have connections? Something must be wrong! It’s not who you know that matters. It’s who knows you. And how can people know you? People will recognize you when you express your gifts and abilities. A person’s talents open doors for him or her. Don’t wait for connections in your bedroom; develop your talent and passion and let the world hear about you!
- Courage, faith and persistence. Success takes time. Personal empowerment requires you to have courage, faith and persistence. Greatness is not built in one day. Be courageous, be persistent in your dream. And one day, your dream will come true.
- For performance coaching and motivational talks to your organization give me a call or send me an email.
- Have you read my book, Financial Freedom for Every Youth?
- Watch out for my new book, Financial Freedom for Every Busy Professional
Tags: genius, Giantthoughts International, healthy wealthy wise, ogbo awoke ogbo, psychology, Silverbird Television, success | 
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Oct
16
2011
By the nature of my career as an author, motivational speaker and business coach, I meet very wealthy individuals. It strikes me how meticulous and ordered their lives are. One of the wealthiest businessmen in Nigeria owns only 4 pairs of shoes. Besides, you will never find half-eaten slices of bread or chicken, unused stew or vegetables on their dinner plates. What do they know that ordinary persons don’t? They know that the universe is angry that the leftover food in your garbage bin could feed 10 families in another part of the city. Why don’t you cook only what you can eat?
You can measure a nation’s poverty by their culture of wastefulness. While other nations are crying ‘Conservation,’ we are burning down our forests and devouring bushmeat; forgetting that eating an egg today means forgoing a meal of chicken stew tomorrow.
When the 11.8 kilometer-long Third Mainland Bridge was constructed in Lagos, people started cutting the beautiful rails and melting them commercially into cutlery and jewelry. Meanwhile, I have been on the Brooklyn Bridge in New York several times, and on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco once. Both were built in 1883 and 1937 respectively. They still stand strong and serve millions of commuters every year.
The dilemma of a wasteful life is that because you do not measure those little wastes you never realize the huge figure it amounts to at the end of the year. It is little by little that the housefly ate up the dog’s ear.
Let me offer some suggestions for controlling the resource-sapping wastage in your life.
- Establish zero tolerance for waste in your household. Even if you are so rich, it is important that you raise children who are non wasters. Otherwise, after you are gone, they will fritter away everything you worked so hard to accumulate.
- Use utilities meaningfully. Don’t leave air conditioners and other electrical appliances on as you leave your house or a hotel room. And don’t leave your water tap running longer than is necessary.
- Be careful about what I call the Compulsive Aso Ebi Disorder (CAED). We complain about poverty but I recently heard about a woman who already spent NGN1 million on aso ebi this year. If your wardrobe is filled with clothing, jewelry and shoes you have not used in the last 6 months, or 1 year, you definitely tend to be wasteful. Give them out.
- Avoid impulse shopping. Make a list of what you want to buy before you step into the market.
- Never get on the phone without a purpose. Many people complain that they are broke but if you check what they spend on mobile phone every month, you’ll faint. Some people call you and they say, “I just called to say hello” but they don’t realize that hello costs money.
- Don’t waste time. Your time is your life. Whatever activity that is not contributing to your purpose on earth or to building other people’s lives is a waste of time.
- Sit down together as a family and discuss ways you can increase your financial savings by reducing wastes.
Next Wednesday on Healthy, Wealthy and Wise we will discuss the 8 powerful keys to personal empowerment in today’s uncertain world.
Ogbo Awoke Ogbo
www.unlockyourdestiny.com
Jan
26
2011
As talk of falling housing prices, rising consumer debt and declining retail sales bring up worries about the Nation’s economic health, Americans are feeling stress and anxiety about their financial future.
Money is often on the minds of most Americans. In fact, money is a top source of stress for eight out of 10 Americans, according to the American Psychological Association’s 2008 Stress in America survey. Add to the mix headlines declaring a looming economic recession, and many begin to fear how they can handle any further financial crunch.
But, like everyday stress, this extra tension can be managed. Psychologists first recommend taking pause and not panicking. While there are some unknown effects in every economic downturn, our Nation has experienced recessions before. There are also healthy strategies available for managing stress during tough economic times.
The American Psychological Association offers these tips to help deal with stress about money and the economy:
- Pause, but don’t panic. There are many negative stories in newspapers and on television about the state of the economy. Pay attention to what’s happening around you, but refrain from getting caught up in doom-and-gloom hype, which can lead to high levels of anxiety and bad decision making. Avoid the tendency to overreact or to become passive. Remain calm and stay focused.
- Identify your financial stressors and make a plan. Take stock of your particular financial situation and what causes you stress. Write down specific ways you and your family can reduce expenses or manage your finances more efficiently. Then commit to a specific plan and review it regularly. Although this can be anxiety-provoking in the short term, putting things down on paper and committing to a plan can reduce stress. If you are having trouble paying bills or staying on top of debt, reach out to your bank, utilities or credit card company for help.
- Recognize how you deal with stress related to money. In tough economic times some people are more likely to relieve stress by turning to unhealthy activities like smoking, drinking, gambling or emotional eating. The strain can also lead to more conflict and arguments between partners. Be alert to these behaviors — if they are causing you trouble, consider seeking help from a psychologist or community mental health clinic before the problem gets worse.
- Turn these challenging times into opportunities for real growth and change. Times like these, while difficult, can offer opportunities to take stock of your current situation and make needed changes. Think of ways that these economic challenges can motivate you to find healthier ways to deal with stress. Try taking a walk — it’s an inexpensive way to get good exercise. Having dinner at home with your family may not only save you money, but help bring you closer together. Consider learning a new skill. Take a course through your employer or look into low-cost resources in your community that can lead to a better job. The key is to use this time to think outside the box and try new ways of managing your life.
- Ask for professional support. Credit counseling services and financial planners are available to help you take control over your money situation. If you continue to be overwhelmed by the stress, you may want to talk with a psychologist who can help you address the emotions behind your financial worries, manage stress and change unhealthy behaviors.
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