9 LESSONS YOU SHOULD LEARN FROM 9ICE
No one knows how it happened but suddenly 9ice, abolore akande suddenly became a force to reckon with in Nigeria’s music industry. This creative hit maker clinched the revelation of the year award and the vocal performance winner at the 2008 hip-hop world awards. Since the release of his latest album:”Gongo aso” which means something is about to happen,9ice has continued to make things happen in his music career. Here are the lessons everyone should learn from 9ice’s rise to success.

Lesson 1 :Originality(Don’t be a photocopy)
When I first listened to Gongo aso I was drown away by his lyrical prowess and its groovy beat.With his unique blend of ethnicity and contemporary feel, he has proven to us that there is power in originality. Now every one wants to sound like 9ice.If you must succeed in life, you have to stick to your uniqueness and be comfortable in your own skin .

Lesson 2:Persistence
Determined to toe music line, 9ice started putting down his songs in writing around 1995 , after which he recorded demos. After years of studying the music industry and working on his talent , 9ice finally became a shining light. His debut album titled: “Certificate” wasn’t really a commercial success, but he stuck to his game and today he is enjoying his profitable pay offs of persistence.

Lesson 3:Hardwork
A sage once said:” Success is 99% perspiration and 1% inspiration”. Nothing works like hardwork.He got the ‘9’ part of his name based on the regimen he engages in. He does not go 9days without working on new songs. The main satisfaction of life comes from hard work. Whatever you are willing to work for, will definitely work for you.

Lesson 4:Passion
His encounter with music came to the fore after he dropped out of the law faculty of Lagos state university. His unquenchable passion for music made him use the money his parents gave him to enroll ;for JAMB to book studio session. This what tiger wood once said about the game of golf:’ I love this game to death. Its like a drug I have to have’.

Lesson 5:People skills
No one succeeds in isolation. His rise to the top of his game is a function of the relationship he has with others. He has done collabos with artistes like : rugged man, 2shots,and segun obe.In life its team work that makes your dream work.

Lesson 6:Start early
The way he carries himself proves that he is not a rookie musician.He started as far back as 1996 when he recorded his first demo titled:Risi de alagbaja.Whatever you want to achieve in life requires action orientation .Stop procrastinating on that book you desire to write .Fela durotoye puts it this way: ‘Early to start early to reign’

Lesson 7:Knowledge
Its true that your learning power determines your earning power. Assumption is the lowest level of knowledge. His proverbial lyrics and music harmonies all testify that he has a strong and an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. As a career coach, I tell my clients to read at least two books in a moth so as to be on top of their career.

Lesson 8:Little beginnings
He wasn’t born with a silver spoon, but he has been able to make his parents proud of him. In the words of Dr chris Williams :’Its not a must to be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth ,if you realize that you weren’t born with a silver spoon in your mouth you can deliberately put a golden spoon or a diamond spoon in your mouth if you so wish. The choice is yours’

Lesson 9:The God factor
In “Ade ori” a song in his album which is meant to show his attitude of gratitude to God, he showed with sincerity and honesty , his heart of gratitude to God. Success becomes permissible without God. God is the one who creates opportunities we never thought existed to succeed.
The lessons drawn from 9ice’s life is to make you motivated to take charge of your life. Nothing moves until you move!
Ajose kehinde is Nigeria’s youngest career coach/ motivational speaker. He is currently studying English in Lagos state university. He is a member of the coaching academy club u.k. is reachable at 08024212530 or motivationswithkehindeajose.blogspot.com/splendidkenny01@yahoo.com

LEARNING FROM COBHAMS

LEARNING FROM COBHAMS
(How cobhams a young blind music producer became an high achiever}
Watching cobhams asuquo’s magic fingers race from one side of the piano to another at the 2008 future awards , showed that he had not only mastered his art, but he has gained mastery over his challenges. With the talented trio of segun obe, essence, and ego performing the Nigerian national anthem, it just communicated the fact that in every corner of Nigeria, lies an hidden genius waiting to break loose. During the performance, I concluded that there is more to cobhams than meets the eyes.He needs no introduction especially in the Nigerian music terrain. Having created musical masterpieces for the likes of asa,dare art alade, rooftop mcs,modele, dekunle fuji.You will definitely conclude that any music cobhams bakes with his magic fingers must become an instant hit.
Though he is visually impaired, but he is not without a clear sense of vision. He could easily have been the next kid begging by the windshield of the street of Lagos. But this highly skillful pianist and sought after music producer has chosen to bounce back from his challenges. He chose to see his glass cup as half full instead of seeing as half empty like pessimists do. He has faced a whole lot of challenges and tough times, but he says:” I have chosen not to see challenges. Today, young Nigerians draw inspiration from this award winning producer, who recently clinched the producer of the year at the just concluded hip hop world awards. He has proven that ability lies in disability. Every weakness you have can become a great tool of strength , if you,look inwards and maximize the God-given potential, the creator has deposited on your inside. John foppe the American Motivational has no arms, Nick vijucic the American pastor has no limbs, yet he claims that he is not limited. Our own yinka ayefele despite the fact that he is on a wheel chair ,smiles to the bank after every of his profitable music performances. Dear friend, what’s your excuse? Nothing can stop you from getting to the top unless you decide to stop yourself. Stop looking at your disabilities and start strengthening your unique abilities. According to Herb greenherb, the blind co-author of Succeed on your own terms: “Everyone has key strengths and key limitations, that is the human condition the real winners in this world are those individuals, who know their strengths and are able to create situations that play to their unique abilities where there limitations are of little consequence”. Have you been inspired why not interact with me .Go and rule your world!
Ajose kehinde is Nigeria’s youngest career coach and a student of Lagos state university studying EnglishA. He is a member of coaching academy club uk.He is reachable at 08024212530 or splendidkenny01@yahoo.com/motivationswithkehindeajose.blogspot.com

Dr. Farrah Gray was named as one of the most influential Black men in America by the National Urban League's Urban Influence Magazine. At 21 years old, he was recognized by Ebony Magazine as an entrepreneurial icon, business mogul and best-selling author. Raised in the impoverished South side of Chicago, Dr. Gray defied the odds and became a self-made millionaire by the age of 14. At the age of 21, he became Dr. Farrah Gray, receiving an Honorary Doctorate degree of Humane Letters from Allen University. This was in recognition of his ingenious economic mind and distinguished commitment to the development of values such as leadership, integrity and scholarship. In his rise from poverty to national and international prominence as an entrepreneurial icon and pre-eminent power speaker, Dr. Gray has inspired millions around the world.He is also a syndicated columnist with the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) federation of 200 weekly newspapers and more than 15 million readers. As an AOL Money Coach, Dr. Gray gives advice to millions of AOL subscribers daily. He was featured “O” The Oprah Magazine's Dream Team of Financial Experts in March 2008 issue. In March 2008, Dr. Gray was invited to speak for the United States Department of the Treasury Office of Financial Education “Roundtable Discussion on Financial Education in African-American Communities on Preparing for the Future: Youth and Higher Education.”Dr. Gray addresses more than half a million people per year on leadership, personal development, diversity, strategic planning, creativity, business development and financial management. At the age of 23, he has achieved more than many achieve in a lifetime.Since his first interview at 11 years old on KVBC Channel 3, Gray has become a celebrity, featured in thousands of print, magazine, radio and television media including The NBC reality show Starting Over, 20/20, Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight, The Montel Williams Show, Oprah & Friends, Tom Joyner Show, The Michael Baisden Show, The Tavis Smiley Show, CNBC, BET, NBC, FOX, CBS, NPR, Ebony, Jet, Essence, Upscale, Black MBA, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Post and “O” The Oprah Magazine.Dr. Gray began his entrepreneurial, personal and civic development as a stellar young citizen at six years old selling home-made body lotion and his own hand-painted rocks as book-ends door-to-door. At age seven, he was carrying business cards reading "21st Century CEO." At eight, Gray became co-founder of Urban Neighborhood Enterprise Economic Club (U.N.E.E.C.) on Chicago's South side. U.N.E.E.C. was the forerunner of New Early Entrepreneur Wonders (NE2W), the flagship organization he opened on Wall Street. NE2W enlisted, educated and engaged "at-risk" youth by creating and developing legal ways for them to acquire additional income. Gray is the youngest person to have an office on Wall Street.Between the ages of 12 and 16 years old, Dr. Gray founded and operated business ventures that included KIDZTEL pre-paid phone cards, the One Stop Mail Boxes & More franchise and The Teenscope "Youth AM/FM" interactive teen talk show, Gray was also Executive Producer of a comedy show on the Las Vegas Strip and owner of Farr-Out Foods, "Way-Out Food with a Twist," aimed at young people with the company's first Strawberry-Vanilla syrup product. Farr-Out Foods generated orders exceeding $1.5 million.As a pre-teen, Gray reached 12 million listeners and viewers every Saturday night as co-host of "Backstage Live," a syndicated television and radio simulcast in Las Vegas. Gray's inspirational spirit and grounded personality sparked speaking requests from organizations around the country. Dr. Gray's sense of social responsibility motivated him to create the non-profit organization, The Farrah Gray Foundation. Among other programs and initiatives, his foundation focuses on inner city community-based entrepreneurship education and provides scholarship & grant assistance for students from at-risk backgrounds to attend HBCU's (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). Dr. Gray donates his honorariums from speaking engagements (which can be upwards of $15,000) and the proceeds of his book to his foundation in what he refers to as his "self-imposed" youth tax. Dr. Gray's work did not remain under the radar-screen for long. He was given a three-year term on the Board of Directors of United Way of Southern Nevada at the age of 15 and also became the youngest member of the Board of Advisors for the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. Dr. Gray was also the youngest member of the "African-American Leadership Roundtable" to be invited by President Bush and the Director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Dr. Gray is also the spokesman for the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Marrow Donor Program.Dr. Gray is the Co-Chair of Relational Brokers Alliance Consultancy (RBA). In addition, he has consulted with JP Morgan Chase and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Development Agency. The Farrah Gray Foundation is also in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation, launching entrepreneurship programs in inner-city schools across the country.
Dr. Gray’s newest project is his second book Get Real, Get Rich: Conquer the 7 Myths Blocking You from Success (Dutton, January 2, 2008) a no-holds-barred rejection of the fallacies we've all heard--and believed--about success and how to achieve it. Gray is the author of Reallionaire which was nominated by NBC & Publishers Weekly Quill Awards in the category of "Health/Self-Improvement." His book appeared on the Amazon and Barnes & Noble's Best-sellers lists two weeks before its international release. Reallionaire was also named as the #1 Best-selling Nonfiction Paperback book in the August 2005 Issue of Essence Magazine. Gray's book and his journey to succeed against the odds have become required reading and part of classroom study from elementary school to entrepreneurship departments on college and university campuses such as Harvard University. Reallionaire has been endorsed by Pierre Sutton, Stedman Graham, Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Gray is also a contributing author to Chicken Soup for the African-American Soul. He is also the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Prominent Magazine, an entertainment, business, fashion, and lifestyle and culture publication.
Dr. Gray's honors include Keys to the Cities of Dallas, Shreveport, and Cincinnati. He has also received Proclamations from the Governors of Illinois and Nevada, the Mayors of Chicago, Las Vegas, New Orleans and Wilmington, Delaware, and Clark County Nevada Commissioners. Dr. Gray's Awards include The National Urban League Whitney M Young Jr. Entrepreneurship Award, The Indiana Black Expo (IBE) Hoosier Lottery Entrepreneur Award, The Alabama A&M Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) Award, The Davidson College Love of Learning Lifetime Educational Achievement Award, Central State Award of Appreciation for contributions made in the area of entrepreneurship, NV Magazine Vision Award and the American Red Cross Award of Appreciation. Gray's biography is recognized in the Marquis "Who's Who in America."

THE YOUNGSTER’S GUIDE TO CAREER SUCCESS

A man died and met st peter at the pearly gates, immediately realizing that st peter was a wise and knowledgeable individual the man inquired:”St peter I have been interested military history or many years .Tell me , who was the greatest general of all time,st peter quickly responded:”Oh that’s a simple question its that man right over there. You must be mistaken responded the man now very perplexed. I knew that man on earth and he was just a common labourer.That’s right my friend said st peter , he would have been the greatest general of all time , if he had been a general.
God created us in such a way that there will always be something that catches our fancy, make us come a live even when we aren’t feeling good, and is like fire in our bones. I am sure you’ve heard of great names like sunny obazu ojeagbase, mikel obi, pat utomi, chimamanda adichie. These are individuals drawn from different walks o life who are succeeding in their chosen career. During my career coaching sessions, some of my clients often ask me this question:What does it take to succeed on your career paths. In this highly inspirational article , I will be sharing with you the tools and habits you need to acquire so as to be a brand in your chosen field of endeavor. I will be guiding you through this journey using the acronym G .u.i.d.e

G-Giant sized passion
In the words of Richard Steele:” Men spend their lives in the service of their passion, instead of employing their passion in the service of their live”. Getting amazing results on your career path requires a whole lot of passion. Some many people are struggling on a job they are ill suited for. One of the greatest of all success secrets is for you to decide what you enjoy doing and find a way to make a good living doing it. For me its motivational communication .For an ali baba it is stand up comedy, for a funmi iyanda it is producing and presenting talkshows.A clue to unlocking your hidden genius is to dwell on your strength zone i.e a combination of your gifts, hobbies , natural endowment and abilities
U-Unmatched preparation
Benjamin Franklin asserted:” The secret of success is for a man to be prepared when his time comes”. No man goes to the battle field, and start preparing for the battle on the battle field.For instance if you desire to build a career in the banking industry, it is critical for you to start mingling with the best in the banking industry .Start reading and expanding your mind in your area of strength.Ayo makun a.k.a A.y , one of Nigeria’s hottest comedians started his comedy business right from his days at delta state university. He started with organizing events and today he is smiling enthusiastically to the bank. If you are preparing today, chances are you will not be repairing tomorrow.

I-Inimitable initiative
Initiative energizes your career. High achievers are often individuals who have an unquenchable bias for action. They do not wait till they are told what to do , before doing what they are supposed to do.Nothing will bring you the attention of people than having “A do it now mentality”. Talent without initiative never reaches its potential. Initiative is the father of knowledge. Having initiative also implies doing whatever it takes to invest in your intellectual capacity. companies all over the world are fast discarding non compliant players and jostling for a workforce concomitant with the ongoing knowledge revolution.

D-Daring attitude
Enduring success on your career will largely be dependent on your ability to cultivate a daring attitude .Daring is the way of life that has been instrumental to the monumental achievement of men. Daring means to go for what others shy away from. You need to begin to challenge what as been termed impossible in your career path. you need to swim in unconventional waters. You will always be better off daring than staring.

E-Exceptional focus
Becoming a leading light in your career requires being able to focus on what you can do and not on what you can’t do. Emilio butrugueno the vice president of real Madrid said:’ I have seen time and time again that the difference between a good player and a great player is the capacity to focus”. Focus all your energies on your career nothing more, nothing less!. whatever you are willing to focus on expands. To focus a lens you must point it to an object until it can get a well defined image .This takes a great degree of concentration.
Finally , no one is responsible for your career success other than you. There are no limits to what you can accomplish with your limitless variety of talents. All you have to do now is to put into gear(action) these five principles I have shared with you. Go and rule your world!
Ajose kehinde is Nigeria’s youngest career coach/ motivational speaker. Member coaching academy club u.k.He is currently studying English at Lagos state university. He is reachable at 08024212530/motivationswithkehindeajose.blogspot.com

YOUNG AND PROUDLY NIGERIAN 3
COURAGE BEYOND ALL ODDS
As i was thinking on how to continue this series, i remembered a witty statement made by Nigeria's undoubtedly most sought after motivational speaker fela durotoye he said:'Its not the things you lack that slows you down,but what you have that you don,t use'.So many young people whine about the fact that its quite difficult to make headway in Nigeria.Though its quite knotty to live your dreams in this environment ,as nothing good comes easy,some brave young Niigerians still have the willpower and tenacity to live their dreams come what may.I will be bringing to centre stage one of our own who has been thrilling her audience through her God given ability.
After completing her schooling at federal government college jos,she enrolled at lagos state university in 2001 to study theatre arts.She says of her stay there:"I got frustrated and asked myself what i wanted to do"So after two years , she abandoned her programme and set out to dance to her own music.Her singing ablility was uncommon and at first not accepted.She said:"I remembered that i wasn,t accepted as a singer because my voice was too deep.In the church choir they were only interested in high pitched voice".She was rejected and dejected when she didn,t get a chance to sing.On leaving university, she decided to gain tutelage so as to become an expert in her field.She proceeded to peter king's college of music in badagry with the intention of completing a music diploma.
Today, Bukola elemide a.k.a ASA is the new face of soul music in the Nigerian landscape.She has performed in various national and international shows proving her own mettle and living her dreams one day at a time.Courage is critical to greatness in life.Asa was able to persist inspite of the odds she encountered on her journey to greatness.Recently i was coaching one of my clients, She desires to become an entrepreneur and she needed some coaching in her new found fascination.I told her it takes courage to leave a regular paying job to embrace the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship.Dear friend, resolve to take courageous steps in the direction of your dreams.If only you can stay with it, hang in there, never give in, never give up, never give out, then you will be able to beat your chest, walk tall and say to your self:'I have lived my dreams".Have you been inspired by these series, why don,t you share your story with me.
Ajose kehinde is a career coach/ motivational speaker.Member coaching academy u .k.He helps people find and focus on their career so as to enjoy fabulous results.He is currently studying English in lagos state university.He is reachable at 08024212530 /splendidkenny01@yahoo.com

10 habits of highly successful youngsters

10 HABITS OF HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL YOUNGSTERS
In the past 3 years of my motivational speaking career, i have had the great priviledge of studying,watching from afar,and interacting with some notable and highly successfull young Nigerians.From denrele of the sound city fame to GT da guitarman,and not to forget my cherished interactions with chude jideonwo of the future awards and toyosi akerele of rise magazine. The purpose of studying what makes these young achievers tick, is to learn the secret of their obvious success and also model them.Knowing fully well that if these youngsters can live their dreams inspite of the so called
"Nigerian factor" rearing its ugly head, then any young person aspiring for the top can also replicate their success.
The following are the some of the positive habits they imbibe in other to keep suceeding:

1.They are original:According bishop oyedepo:"You are at your best when you are yourself".They don,t live their lives trying to be someone else.They draw strength from their natural qualities and inclinations.Denrele of the sound city fame is known for his zany hairstyle and unique mode of dressing.He doesn't imitate anyone.As john mason asserted:"Imitation is limitation"

2.They are vision driven:Based on the discovery of their calling, talents,and natural abilities,they craft their vison around these abilities.They consistently see into their preferable future and not their present conditions.Gt da guitarman,one of Nigeria's music icon once said in an interview i had with him:"I desire to be a worldclass musician and producer".Today , he is fast becoming what he saw in his life's vision.

3.They are hardworking:George w.elliot once remarked:"The main satisfaction of life comes through hardwork".These youngsters believe success comes with its price tag written on it.Chude jideonwo was always working and sweating out during preparations for the future awards. Little wonder the event was a grand success.

4.They believe in God:They consistently recognize that with God success becomes permissible, but without God success becomes impossible.They are quick to mention God as the source of their talents and fame.They understand that their achievements are a function of God'sendownment in their lives.

5.They are avid learners:Successful youngsters are always willing to learn something new.They major their lives on these saying:'Your learning power ,and not your yearning power determines your earning power".For instance i found in toyosi akerele's office a library of serious books.Success rides on the wings of information for realization.

6.They are focused:Ubong essien calls focus :"Sticktoitveness".They follow one course until successfull(FOCUS).At any points in their lives they give concentrated efforts to just one major thing at a time.No wonder they are refrence points in their chosen fields of endeavour.

7.They are people oriented:Successful youngsters don,t do things because of what they stand to gain, they are motivated by making impact, and not making money.They care about people and not trying to make people care about them.

8.They are never discouraged:For them, persistence is critical to achievement.When ever they experience the pains and perilious times of life, all they do is persist till they eventually suceed .

9.They take resposibility:Majority of the youngsters i have been able to interact with complain and whine about the state of our nation.But there are some other crop of young people who simply find creative solutions to these challenges.They take their destinies in their hands.

10.They are action oriented :They stick to what napoleon hill said:'Success comes to those who do things now".They do whatever it takes to make their dreams come true.
Have you been inspired by this article why not share your own story with me.Now go and rule your world!
Ajose kehinde is Nigeria's youngest motivational speaker/ career coach.He is a member of the coaching academy club u.k.He is currently studying English in Lagos state university.He is reachable at 08024212530 /splendidkenny01@yahoo.com,motivationswithkehindeajose.blogspot.com

how to live a better life in 2008

HOW TO LIVE A BETTER LIFE IN 2008
An old man who lived long ago enjoyed a reputation in his community for - near infinite wisdom.A young lad, skeptical of the aura surrounding the old man,decided to demistify him once and for all.He caught a cricket, enfolded it in his hands,and then called out to the old man:"Old man, the cricket that i hold is it alive or dead?The young boy had come up with a clever idea.He thought "If he says the cricket is alive, i shalll crush it in an instant "."If on the other hand he says it is dead,i shall release it and show him to be a liar"The old man looked at the boy squarely, and told him in a slow deep voice :"Young man, whether the cricket is dead or alive lies in your hands."
Whether this year is going to open you up to endless possibilties or perilious experiences is up to you.Living a better life is about being able to live life at its peak and fulfil your destiny on this terrestial platform.All i will be sharing with you in this life transforming article that will pace you up for success , is encapsulated in the word :B .E T. T.E.R

-B:Be bold:2008 like every other year is not going to be a piece of cake.But our fulfilment and roofraising achieevements is predicated on the magnitude of boldness we take into the new year which eventually makes us outstanding in our various life's pursuit.In the words of Dolores Ibarruri:It is better to be the wdow of an hero than to be the wife of a coward"To be willling to do bettter you have to face your fears and lean on your faith. Owen gee one of Nigeria's best comedians took a bold step when he left his lucrative job to pursue his passion :stand up comedy.Today Owen gee is living his dream and crashing ceilings in his chosen craft.

-E:Embrace excellence:Vince lombardi said:"Your success in life will be determined by the depth of your commitment to excellence than by any other factor".Resolve to be the very best at what you do. Seek to increase your capacity for excellence and efficiency .What one quality if developed and worked on will have an excellent impact on your life?

-T:Think possibilities:People bound for greatness think possibilities all the way.They are die hard optimists who are unshakeable despite the gravity of whatever they go through.In life you don,t get what you deserve , you get what you believe and enthusistically expect.

-T:Tenacity:Michael jordan was told he wasn't good enough when he decided to join his varsity basketball team, but he refused to give up. Today he is one of the greatest sports men of our time.Mahatma ghandi once remarked:"The history of the world is fulll of men who rose to prominence by tenacity".Persistence wears out every resistance.

-E:Execute:Kane kramer, a british gentleman designed and sketched out the first ipod in 1979 but did nothing with it.Today the ipod has taken over the world.He remains a store man at a furniture company in hardfordshire England.Nothing happens unless you move.Action orientation is still the culmination factor that leads to predictable success.Resolve to take steps of action towards your projects, proposal and plans in 2008.

-R:Remember God :-After all is said and done the role of God can never be under estimated in the affairs of men.One of Nigeria's leading motivational speaker once made this statement:"I am not selfmade i am God made".No one can do what God can do, solely because he rules over the earth.Beyond yor plaques, achievements, and successes you still need to hook up with God if you desire to go a long way in 2008.This year can be your best year ever in your life time if you act on these outlined thoughts.Have a great year!

Ajose kehinde is a motivational speaker/career coach.He helps people find and focus on their career so as to experience fabulous results.He is reachable at 08024212530 or splendidkenny01@yahoo.com


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