UNDERSTANDING YOUR INTRINSIC SELF AND THE ROUTE TO FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT

Stephen M. Awoyemi Africa Coordinator Tropical Conservancy E-mail: awoyemi@tc-biodiversity.org The Money Summit September 6th 2008

What is self-awareness?

Self-awareness
Not everyone is interested in delving into their inner self, whether to discover their purpose, or become aware of the reasons and mechanisms they have for responding to what life offers them

Self-awareness
Many may fall into that category and then some significant event propels them into a journey of self-discovery; and understanding their purpose becomes important, developing greater consciousness and awareness. Stephen Harrison

Self-awareness
Self-awareness is the necessary precursor to personal change, learning and selfimprovement. Nick Forster I maintain that the journey of self-discovery and self-mastery is a key to unlocking personal power and developing a capability to lead others, regardless of any natural talent. Stephen Harrison

Self-awareness
Authentic leadership begins with selfawareness and knowing yourself deeply. Self awareness is not a trait you are born with but a capacity you develop throughout your life time

Self-awareness
Its your understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, your purpose in life, your values and motivation and how and why you respond to situations in a particular way. William George

Self-awareness
I believe those who seek to develop selfawareness, and greater consciousness of who they are and of their value, are in a stronger position to make a powerful contribution and leave a significant legacy. Stephen Harrison

Self-awareness is the gateway to greatness!

So who are you?

At this point, forget about what men say that you are. Crush the social and cultural mirror! Self discover and you will find personal power.

The how of self discovery

Using literature for self-awareness and improvement.

The how of self discovery

Using responsibility for self-awareness and improvement. Your ability needs responsibility to expose its possibilities Theodore Roosevelt

The how of self discovery

Understanding and building a strong value system based on your intrinsic self-awareness.

The bridge
When you have discovered who you are from the depths of your being; you know what you love to do that matches your purpose, strengths, abilities, values and personality, then you are on the path to financial empowerment.

The bridge
Self-made millionaires are those who have found a field where their natural strengths and abilities are exactly what is required to do the job and achieve the results desired. Most self-made millionaires say that they "never worked a day in their life. Brian Tracy

The bridge
You must find a field in which you can be totally absorbed, a job or area of endeavor that completely fascinates you, that holds your attention, that is a natural expression of your special talents and abilities. Brian Tracy

The secret to financial security

Your economic security does not lie in your job; it lies in your own power to produce - to think, to learn, to create to adapt. Thats true financial independence. Stephen R. Covey

Think!
What is meant by thinking? Clear, decisive, calm, deliberate, sustained thought with a definite end in view. James Allen

Again think!
The student who learns that power comes from within, that he is weak only because he has depended on help from outside, and who unhesitatingly throws himself on his own thought, instantly rights himself, stands erect, assumes a dominant attitude, and works miracles. Charles F. Hannel

And think big!

In any given moment a mans growth is optimized if he leans just beyond his edge, his capacity his fear. David Deida Soar upward on the wings of aspiration; be fearless, and believe in the loftiest possibilities. James Allen

Develop mental power

Read books that remind you of who you are in truth. Spend time with people who inspire you and reflect the source to you. Meditate, contemplate, or pray daily so that you steep yourself in the source. David Deida

Develop mental power

As you build within by the power of thought, so will your outward life and circumstances shape themselves accordingly. Whatsoever you harbour in the inmost chambers of your heart will, sooner or later, by the inevitable law of reaction, shape itself in your outward life. James Allen

Learn
Learning is best when it is self-directed and self-motivated Two types of learning exist: Deep learning & surface learning

Learn
Deep learning involves conceptual reorganization; in surface learning nothing of importance in the learners mind changes. Deep learning is achieved through thinking about the subject matter; surface learning involves rote memorization. Tom Lombardo Ph.D.

Learn
Not only is deep learning associated with the love of learning, it is also associated with a passion for thinking. Tom Lombardo Ph.D.

Create
We are not talking about hardwork here I know many hardworking people who never seem to have enough money. Hard work will not bring you financial freedom. Only becoming a Deliberate Creator will guarantee your financial freedom. Robert Anthony

Deliberate creator
there is a vast difference between simply thinking, and directing our thoughts consciously, systematically and constructively. When we do this we set in operation the mightiest force in existence, the creative power of the universal mind. Charles F. Hannel

Deliberate creator
Take complete control over every part of your life and create your own future. You must leave nothing to chance. Brian Tracy

Avenues for creativity

What are my opportunities? How can I maximize them? What is the major opportunity best fitted for my talent and character, the opportunity where my individual resource could make its greatest contribution? Peter F. Drucker

Characteristics of creative people

Creative persons gather information, listen to ideas with an open mind and use reading as a stimulus for creative thinking. They like the challenges presented by contradictions, exceptions and apparent disorder. MS Sridhar

Characteristics of creative people

Creative persons not only hold ambiguous and contradictory information, but look at it as a source for their creativity. They challenge the assumptions. MS Sridhar

Characteristics of creative people

In their information gathering, creative persons dont wait for inspiration, but keep working with constant updating of their knowledge. This process often leads to what are called accidental or chance acquisition of relevant and useful information. MS Sridhar

Characteristics of creative people

Despite extensive knowledge through formal education and training, creative persons must endure their self acquired information, knowledge and education. They are great optimists with a high degree of self-confidence, which at times may reach the point of objectionable arrogance. MS Sridhar

Adapting to circumstance
Do not say that your surroundings are against you. A mans surroundings are never against him; they are there to aid him, and all those outward occurences over which you loose sweetness and peace of mind are the very conditions necessary to your development, and it is only by meeting and overcoming them that you can learn, and grow and ripen. James Allen

Adapting to circumstance
the fact remains that no amount of genius has ever availed upon the earth unless enforced by WILL POWER to overcome the obstacles that hedge about every one who would rise above the circumstances in which he was born, or become greater than his calling. (Quote from unknown source)

Adapting to circumstance
He may not succeed in all his plans. He may even encounter much failure; but when he fails, it will be that he may frame nobler purposes and ascend to higher achievements. He will only fail in order to reach a success greater than that of which he first dreamed. His life will not, cannot, be a failure. James Allen

Be self-aware, think, learn, create, adapt and be empowered!

THANK YOU!