Money matters are always sensitive matters, yet almost all
conversations rise and fall on this issue. As I post articles on my blog and
other platforms or even as I read articles posted by others in various media, I
discover that topics that teach us how to make money get the most clicks. If this
is the driving force in the world that we live in, it is necessary for us have
a proper understanding on how to manage it in such a way that it will be of
benefit to all and not a source of sorrow to us and those around us. The problem
with constantly asking yourself “where is the money?” in everything you do is that this will always be your attitude, your life is centered basically on yourself. However, when your preoccupation is what I can do make
life better for others, your perspective on money becomes how it can help you
make a difference. In this case, you are looking for a means not an end; for
this group, money is not a source of competition but a solution to problems and
the development of mankind. Our major
preoccupation with money should not be what more can I acquire but how much
more difference can I make. This group will not extort money and hoard amounts
they do not even need, for them there is too much to be done that there is no
time to scheme and search for ways of defrauding others. The irony of it all is
that when we reach this point we discover that life is far less complicated and a
lot more exciting. When leaders get it
right, the effect will be phenomenal and it won’t be because the money
multiplied, it would simply just mean the money was properly channeled.
AFRICA IS A CONTINENT ON THE MOVE AND HER YOUTHS ARE HER GREATEST RESOURCE."We cannot always build a future for our youth, but we can always build our youth for the future."Franklin D. Roosevelt. MentorAfrica looks to help youths, through various life transition mentoring topics, to prepare youths for development and leadership that will help them change the African narrative whenever the opportunity arises.
Friday, 11 July 2014
WHERE IS THE MONEY? 3 - OU EST L'ARGENT? 3
Thursday, 10 July 2014
WHERE IS THE MONEY? 2 - OU EST L'ARGENT? 2
There is nothing that grabs attention as much as the mention
of money. Some say that it makes the world go round or that it is grease that
the wheels of life run on. There is no disputing these facts but my question is, should it be the controlling factor in our decision making? As I move along in
life, it is becoming quite distressing what people are doing for money, even
those who are so-called givers and philanthropists. At what point do we stop
asking the question “where is the money?” The situation is even more pathetic
in developing countries where projects are laced with financial returns to
government officials rather than being based on improving the quality of life
of the citizens. This is the attitude that trickles down into every fabric of
society and everybody is more concerned about what profit is in it for them. We tend
to point fingers at others when we are discussing sensitive issues like these
but, have we ever stopped to investigate our own motives when it comes to
answering this question? At what point should the bottom line be greater than
financial benefits? Maybe, there is really no such point from what operates
everywhere especially outside the boardrooms. I pause…
Il n'y a rien qui attire l'attention autant que la mention de l'argent. Certains disent que cela fait tourner le monde en rond ou que c'est de la graisse sur lesquels les roues de la vie sont exécutés. Je ne conteste pas ces faits, mais ma question est, faut-il être le facteur déterminant dans notre prise de décision? Comme je parcours la vie, il devient très pénible la réalisation de ce que les gens font pour avoir de l'argent, même les soi-disants donateurs et philanthropes. À quel moment nous arrêtons nous de nous poser la question «où est l'argent?" La situation est encore plus pathétique dans les pays en voie de développement où des projets sont lacées avec des rendements financiers pour les représentants du gouvernement plutôt que d'être basé sur l'amélioration de la qualité de vie des citoyens. C'est l'attitude qui dégouline dans tous les tissus de la société et tout le monde est plus préoccupé par le profit qu'il y est pour eux. Nous avons tendance à pointer du doigt aux autres lorsque nous discutons des questions sensibles comme celles-ci, mais nous n'avons jamais pris le temps pour examiner nos propres motivations quand il s'agit de répondre à cette question? À quel moment la ligne de fond devrait-elle être plus que des avantages financiers? Peut-être, on n'arrive jamais à ce point voyant ce qui se passe partout, surtout à l'extérieur des salles de réunion. Je m'arrête...
Tuesday, 8 July 2014
MentorAfrica: WHERE IS THE MONEY? OU EST L'ARGENT?
MentorAfrica: WHERE IS THE MONEY? OU EST L'ARGENT?: What is uppermost in your mind when you talk to people? A lot of people will say the topic of the discussion or something that is related t...
WHERE IS THE MONEY? OU EST L'ARGENT?
What is uppermost in your mind when you talk to people? A
lot of people will say the topic of the discussion or something that is related
to the discussion. Most people will not admit that it is what to profit from
that person or discussion that is uppermost in their mind. Most of life is
lived in the dog eat dog arena and it takes extra effort to think of others
first. There are many writings and posters making their rounds on social media about putting others first but the
truth of the matter is that a lot of us do not believe this and will always
want to see how we can benefit from any situation at the expense of others. In
fact when we come across the few who want to put others before themselves; it
usually looks like we have just met with aliens. As the world becomes tougher
each day, what is uppermost in people’s mind is “how much am I going to make
from this? Where is the money” when the answer to these questions is not clear,
people are really not interested. Take some time off and be realistic with
yourself and take an inventory, ask yourself this question “what is driving my
associations and endeavors?” The point is that when all you think about is the
money you can make, your vision is so myopic that all you will be able to
achieve will just be a fraction of your contributions to humanity.
Thursday, 26 June 2014
MentorAfrica: CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE - CHANGER LE PAYSAGE
MentorAfrica: CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE - CHANGER LE PAYSAGE: Looking at natural vegetation especially for those of us in the rain forest region, it is almost impossible for us to imagine any form of ur...
CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE - CHANGER LE PAYSAGE
Looking at natural vegetation especially for those of us in the rain forest region, it is almost impossible for us to imagine how this can be transformed into any form of urban beauty and all the luxury that go with it. However, people like Walt Disney did just that and many more are changing their landscape by their ability to dream and hold unto the dream until it is fulfilled. People can’t believe the raw materials that were used to achieve a particular dream if they were not there at the beginning. This is the reason why many are discouraged when they see that the raw materials they have to work with do not have any resemblance with the finished product. Only an artist knows the final beauty of the work and will continue until he/she gets there in spite of all the criticisms they will get from those who see the work in progress without the understanding of the final picture the artist has in mind. Every landscape can be changed by those who are determined to make a change and to add value to an existing situation. All people seem to see is the existing landscape and all the dangers and challenges it possesses. We allow all these to drown our imagination and we are forced to modify our beautiful picture or totally erase it. History has proven that if we start by taking one piece of the land at a time and shaping it to the pattern we want, the picture will gradually emerge. That does not mean we will not come across stubborn weeds and shrubs, it only means that every one of these will give us a chance to make choices that will help us get better and help others along the way.
En regardant la végétation naturelle en particulier pour ceux d'entre nous dans la région de la forêt tropicale, il est presque impossible pour nous d'imaginer comment on peut la transformer en toute forme de beauté urbaine et tout le luxe qui vont avec. Cependant, des gens comme Walt Disney a fait exactement cela et beaucoup d'autres sont en train de changer leur paysage par leur capacité de rêver et de maintenir le rêve jusqu'à ce qu'elle s'accomplisse. Les gens ne peuvent pas croire les matières premières utilisées dans la réalisation d'un rêve particulier s'ils n'étaient pas là au début. C'est la raison pour laquelle beaucoup sont découragés quand ils voient que les matières premières qu'ils ont à travailler n'ont aucune ressemblance avec le produit fini. Seul un artiste connaît la beauté finale du travail et continuera jusqu'à ce qu'il / elle y arrive, en dépit de toutes les critiques venant de ceux qui voient le travail en cours sans une compréhension de l'image finale que l'artiste a à l'esprit. Chaque paysage peut être modifiée par ceux qui sont déterminés à faire un changement et à ajouter de la valeur à une situation existante. Beaucoup ne semblent voir que le paysage existant avec tous les dangers et les défis qui s'y trouvent. Nous permettons à tous ceux-ci de noyer notre imagination et nous sommes obligés de modifier notre belle image ou l'effacer totalement. L'histoire a prouvé que si nous commençons par prendre un morceau de la terre à la fois et d'en faire le modèle que nous voulons, l'image va progressivement émerger. Cela ne signifie pas que nous ne tomberons pas sur des mauvaises herbes et des arbustes tenaces, cela signifie seulement que chacun de ceux-ci nous donnerons une chance de faire des choix qui nous aideront à nous améliorer et aider les autres dans leur parcours.
Friday, 13 June 2014
MentorAfrica: DECISION MAKING - PRENANT DES DESICIONS
MentorAfrica: DECISION MAKING - PRENANT DES DESICIONS: When it comes to making decisions people have different points of reference, some are selfish, some want to please everybody, some want to ...
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