Happyness in LIFE – just thinking aloud.

Don’t mind my spelling of the title, I have been watching a lot of ‘The Pursuit’ of it. I am trying to define my mood lately and wondering if am happy or not or in between there.  I wake up in the morning and look at the side, then I remember … ooh am alone!… ok, then I decide to ask the good Lord to give me energy, strength and wisdom to go through the day.  Today is scheduled to be a very busy day for me starting with a meeting at 8:00 am with my manager, it’s appraisal time, you know.   I also have a meeting with some potential investor looking for partners or representative in this part of the world.  I actually have so many meetings!  I s this really what I want to go through?

Yesterday, I had a small problem with the battery of my car and the mechanic is supposed to pick it and sort it out, so I decide that I will walk to the next meeting.

On one of the upper streets a ‘lame’ human begs for lunch, then I remember I have to do shopping for my kitchen.  Another one a few meters away is ‘uncling’ for ‘kikumi’ (100/=), then I remember my two daughters whose mum ran away with them and however much I have tried to see them, I have failed: Are they fine?  How I miss them!

As i drive back home in the evening, I notice another citizen of this world very ‘happy’ after having one too many of the beverage that comes out from the Source of the Nile (Nile Breweries).  But again I notice a lady carrying her baby on the back with a basket full of yellow bananas, an indication that the day’s business was not right.

I come to think of it that life is life when you make it life after all.  I always tell people my life philosophy:  Life is what you make it because it’s about choices.  You choose to enjoy it or stay in misery.  You choose to succeed or fail.  You choose to live it or just exist in it.  It’s not about chances and luck, but about planning for it.  No one makes it for anyone, but oneself.

I stopped blaming anyone for my failures and started owning up.  Even when your parents didn’t give you an education, don’t blame them because there are success stories that have never been to school.

I THEREFORE CHOOSE ONLY THE POSITIVES BECAUSE I WANT TO BE HAPPY.

You Thought U Were Alone…?

Bruce Richall is an IT consultant based in the affluent Connecticut suburb of Westport. He describes how the loss of his job at a multinational bank triggered a rapid spiral into poverty. Having depleted his savings and unable to afford rent, he now sleeps in the back of his car.

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In the back of my mind, I hoped it wouldn’t happen to me.

I saw bank workers being escorted off the property, clutching their boxes. It was very chilling to witness departing co-workers.

The bank where I worked had already undergone a series of lay-offs in the previous months.

I really liked my job and wanted to keep it. I joined in February, and having worked for many years as an IT contractor – with its inherent instability – this position offered the potential of a full-time position. It could become a “secure” job.

But when security guards made simple, routine rounds though the cubes and offices, people would look up from their desks.

There would be a sigh of relief as the guards kept going.

I never thought it would ever come down to this, but here I am – homeless

But it didn’t happen this time. On a Friday, my manager came to my desk. Usually he came by to ask me if I could put in some overtime. But, just by the look on his face, I could tell. This wasn’t an overtime request. This is it, I said to myself.

Sure enough, I was told that my last day would be the end of the month.

Though I didn’t show it outwardly, I was devastated.

Westport is home to many of the US’ most well-heeled citizens

I would have another month before leaving so that I could start yet another job search. I immediately contacted my agency to let them know that the assignment would be ending.

My last day at the bank was bitter-sweet. There was a cake and a card. We joked but inside I was truly frightened. I asked myself what would happen to me now, in such a difficult job market? Would I become homeless?

At the end of my last day, my manager came downstairs with me. We had a cigarette and talked.

“Bruce, if I can get you back here, you know I will,” he said. His words were kind and well-intentioned.

My life today has changed dramatically since my brief tenure with the bank.

Now I’m facing a very uncertain future.

I now sleep in the back of my car, while I wait for a bed to become available at the shelter. I call it The Hotel Honda Global gloom: Your stories

I’m no longer collecting a nice pay check, going to work every day and returning home at night. I’m no longer a part of the team I so enjoyed working with.

Months passed as my savings gradually dwindled. I was only collecting a small unemployment check from a low paying “between-jobs” job that I had prior to signing on with the bank.

I had to move from my apartment, put my belongings in storage and find a homeless shelter.

I now sleep in the back of my car, while I wait for a bed to become available at the shelter. I call it The Hotel Honda.

I keep a good suit and a dress shirt in the back of the car for interviews. I tell recruiters that I’m working.

This is not the life I imagined for myself when I graduated from university. I never thought it would ever come down to this, but here I am – homeless.

What galls me the most is that about one third of my income is taxed. I’m taxed on what I earn and taxed on what I spend

Unlike the Europeans, we in the US don’t have much of a social safety net.

My meagre unemployment income is too high to let me qualify for Social Services, yet far too inadequate to pay for my home, food, car, utilities and health insurance.

I have hypertension, yet I can’t afford a doctor, the emergency room or vital medication. I need a corrective eye surgery that I can’t afford. Even routine check-ups are out of reach.

My meals are taken at a soup kitchen. This is poverty.

What galls me the most is that about one third of my income is taxed. I’m taxed on what I earn and taxed on what I spend.

Now that I’m in need there is nowhere to turn.

Nobody is helping me except for my contributions to my unemployment account.

Yet our leaders have found a way to bail out the very institutions that have put myself, and others, at risk.

THIS IS REALLY TOUCHING…

My Quotes Corner

We are more often treacherous through weakness than through calculation.

A man with one watch knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never quite sure.

Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop.

Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it.

Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow.

Only that in you which is me can hear what I’m saying.

I am a part of all that I have met.

There’s more to the truth than just the facts.

The obscure we see eventually. The completely obvious, it seems, takes longer.

Even a clock that does not work is right twice a day.

Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth.

If a man who cannot count finds a four-leaf clover, is he lucky?

We are all but recent leaves on the same old tree of life and if this life has adapted itself to new functions and conditions, it uses the same old basic principles over and over again. There is no real difference between the grass and the man who mows it.

Sometimes it’s necessary to go a long distance out of the way in order to come back a short distance correctly.

When the student is ready, the master appears.

A gun gives you the body, not the bird.

Before enlightenment – chop wood, carry water. After enlightenment – chop wood, carry water.

Many men go fishing all of their lives without knowing that it is not fish they are after.

Wars and elections are both too big and too small to matter in the long run. The daily work – that goes on, it adds up.

I tell you everything that is really nothing, and nothing of what is everything, do not be fooled by what I am saying. Please listen carefully and try to hear what I am not saying.

Oh, Heaven, it is mysterious, it is awful to consider that we not only carry a future Ghost within us; but are, in very deed, Ghosts!

Knock on the sky and listen to the sound.

The fish trap exists because of the fish. Once you’ve gotten the fish you can forget the trap. The rabbit snare exists because of the rabbit. Once you’ve gotten the rabbit, you can forget the snare. Words exist because of meaning. Once you’ve gotten the meaning, you can forget the words. Where can I find a man who has forgotten words so I can talk with him?

By daily dying I have come to be.

There are some remedies worse than the disease.

You never know what is enough, until you know what is more than enough.

It requires a great deal of faith for a man to be cured by his own placebos.

What you see, yet can not see over, is as good as infinite.

Philosophy is life’s dry-nurse, who can take care of us – but not suckle us.

One man’s quiet is another man’s din.

Men are probably nearer the central truth in their superstitions than in their science.

Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.

If you think you’re free, then there’s no escape possible.

The fly that doesn’t want to be swatted is most secure when it lights on the fly-swatter.

Don’t miss the donut by looking through the hole.

You can’t wake a person who is pretending to be asleep.

Life has the name of life, but in reality it is death.

To learn something new, take the path that you took yesterday.

Whatever I take, I take too much or too little; I do not take the exact amount. The exact amount is no use to me.

How long has it been since someone touched part of you other than your body?

Alice came to a fork in the road. “Which road do I take?” she asked.
“Where do you want to go?” responded the Cheshire cat.
“I don’t know,” Alice answered.
“Then,” said the cat, “it doesn’t matter.”

Each forward step we take we leave some phantom of ourselves behind.

The map is not the territory.

No matter where you go or what you do, you live your entire life within the confines of your head.

Would there be this eternal seeking if the found existed?

I was once a skeptic but was converted by the two missionaries on either side of my nose.

If you’re going to tickle, use a feather not a whip.

He who has seen present things has seen all, both everything which has taken place from all eternity and everything which will be for time without end; for all things are of one kin and of one form.

If you chase two rabbits, you will not catch either one.

The observer, when he seems to himself to be observing a stone, is really, if physics is to be believed, observing the effects of the stone upon himself.

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.

The obstacle is the path.

It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers.

It is easy to stand a pain, but difficult to stand an itch.

You cannot step into the same river twice.

You are fastened to them and cannot understand how, because they are not fastened to you.

One day, someone showed me a glass of water that was half full. And he said, “Is it half full or half empty?” So I drank the water. No more problem.

Among creatures born into chaos, a majority will imagine an order, a minority will question the order, and the rest will be pronounced insane.

What deep wounds ever closed without a scar?

Extreme remedies are very appropriate for extreme diseases.

If a placebo has an effect, is it any less real than the real thing?

Seeking is not always the way to find.

It takes all the running you can do just to keep in the same place.

We waste a lot of time running after people we could have caught by just standing still.

You can’t reason someone out of a position they didn’t reason themselves into.

I slept with faith and found a corpse in my arms on awakening; I drank and danced all night with doubt and found her a virgin in the morning.

Tomorrow always comes, and today is never yesterday.

Weak eyes are fondest of glittering objects.

You can see a lot by just looking. You can observe a lot by just looking.

Proverbs often contradict one another, as any reader soon discovers. The sagacity that advises us to look before we leap promptly warns us that if we hesitate we are lost; that absence makes the heart grow fonder, but out of sight, out of mind.

Reason and faith are both banks of the same river.

Man is the only animal who enjoys the consolation of believing in a next life; all other animals enjoy the consolation of not worrying about it.

Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.

He who depends on another man’s table often dines late.

Things are entirely what they appear to be and behind them… there is nothing.

You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed.

When the pain is great enough, we will let anyone be doctor.

A thousand men can’t undress a naked man.

May your passion be the kernel of corn stuck between your molars, always reminding you there’s something to tend to.

I stop wanting what I am looking for, looking for it.

We often repent the good we have done as well as the ill.

When I die, I will not see myself die, for the first time.

The scars you can’t see are the hardest to heal.

The human mind is inspired enough when it comes to inventing horrors; it is when it tries to invent a Heaven that it shows itself cloddish.

It’s very strange when the life you never had flashes before your eyes.

The foot feels the foot when it feels the ground.

We become aware of the void as we fill it.

If I make the lashes dark
And the eyes more bright
And the lips more scarlet,
Or ask if all be right
From mirror after mirror,
No vanity’s displayed:
I’m looking for the face I had
Before the world was made.

Almost every wise saying has an opposite one, no less wise, to balance it.

The opposite of a correct statement is a false statement. But the opposite of a profound truth may well be another profound truth.

How often one sees people looking far and wide for what they are holding in their hands? Why! I am doing it myself at this very moment.

Our greatest pretenses are built up not to hide the evil and the ugly in us, but our emptiness. The hardest thing to hide is something that is not there.

Who is more foolish, the child afraid of the dark or the man afraid of the light?

I believe that men are generally still a little afraid of the dark, though the witches are all hung, and Christianity and candles have been introduced.

Because they know the name of what I am looking for, they think they know what I am looking for!

Eggs cannot be unscrambled.

A thing, until it is everything, is noise, and once it is everything it is silence.

The road was new to me, as roads always are going back.

…like stealing the juice out of tomorrow’s fruit.

Admiration and familiarity are strangers.

We used to think that if we knew one, we knew two, because one and one are two. We are finding that we must learn a great deal more about “and.”

To know the height of a mountain, one must climb it.

No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place.

The moment a little boy is concerned with which is a jay and which is a sparrow, he can no longer see the birds or hear them sing.

Nearly all men die of their remedies, and not of their illnesses.

The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different.

Will localizes us; thought universalizes us.

I doubt one could live in the darkness, but one could probably survive.

Skin is a covering for our immortality.

I’ve observed that there are more lines formed than things worth waiting for.

Genuine tragedies in the world are not conflicts between right and wrong. They are conflicts between two rights.

When I break any of the chains that bind me I feel that I make myself smaller.

We are spirits clad in veils.

If I am not pleased with myself, but should wish to be other than I am, why should I think highly of the influences which have made me what I am?

Before I traveled my road I was my road.

If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts, but if he will content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.

To believe with certainty we must begin with doubting.

The world always makes the assumption that the exposure of an error is identical with the discovery of truth – that the error and truth are simply opposite. They are nothing of the sort. What the world turns to, when it is cured on one error, is usually simply another error, and maybe one worse than the first one.

The future influences the present just as much as the past.

When a watch goes ill, it is not enough to move the hands; you must set the regulator. When a man does ill, it is not enough to alter his handiwork, you must regulate his heart.

When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.

One does what one is; one becomes what one does.

You can’t fall off the floor.

A wise man can see more from the bottom of a well than a fool can from a mountain top.

In a mist the heights can for the most part see each other; but the valleys cannot.

In general people experience their present naively, as it were, without being able to form an estimate of its contents; they have first to put themselves at a distance from it – the present, that is to say, must have become the past – before it can yield points of vantage from which to judge the future.

The only Zen you can find on the tops of mountains is the Zen you bring up there.

A stumble may prevent a fall.

When you look into an abyss, the abyss also looks into you.

Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.

MLM (Network Marketing) – Online (Home) Business

Multi-level marketing (MLM), (also called network marketing, direct selling, referral marketing, and pyramid selling) is a term that describes a marketing structure used by some companies as part of their overall marketing strategy. The structure is designed to create a marketing and sales force by compensating promoters of company products not only for sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of other promoters they introduce to the company, creating a downline of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation in the form of a pyramid.

The products and company are usually marketed directly to consumers and potential business partners by means of relationship referrals and word of mouth marketing.

MLM companies have been a frequent subject of controversy as well as the target of lawsuits. Criticisms have focused on their similarity to illegal pyramid schemes, price-fixing of products, high initial start-up costs, emphasis on recruitment of lower-tiered salespeople over actual sales, encouraging if not requiring salespeople to purchase and use the company’s products, potential exploitation of personal relationships which are used as new sales and recruiting targets, complex and sometimes exaggerated compensation schemes, and cult-like techniques which some groups use to enhance their members enthusiasm and devotion. Not all MLM companies operate the same way, and MLM groups have persistently denied that their techniques are anything but legitimate business practices.

Setup
Independent, unsalaried salespeople of multi-level marketing, referred to as distributors (or associates, independent business owners, dealers, franchise owners, sales consultants, consultants, independent agents, etc.), represent the company that produces the products or provides the services they sell. They are awarded a commission based upon the volume of product sold through their own sales efforts as well as that of their downline organization.

Independent distributors develop their organizations by either building an active customer base, who buy direct from the company, or by recruiting a downline of independent distributors who also build a customer base, thereby expanding the overall organization. Additionally, distributors can also earn a profit by retailing products they purchased from the company at wholesale price.

This arrangement of distributors earning a commission based on the sales of their independent efforts as well as the leveraged sales efforts of their downline is similar to franchise arrangements where royalties are paid from the sales of individual franchise operations to the franchiser as well as to an area or regional manager. Commissions are paid to multi-level marketing distributors according to the company’s compensation plan. There can be individuals at multiple levels of the structure receiving royalties from a single person’s sales.

Legality and Legitimacy
MLM businesses operate in the United States in all 50 states and in more than 100 other countries, and new businesses may use terms like “affiliate marketing” or “home-based business franchising”. However, many pyramid schemes try to present themselves as legitimate MLM businesses.

The FTC states “Steer clear of multilevel marketing plans that pay commissions for recruiting new distributors. They’re actually illegal pyramid schemes. Why is pyramiding dangerous? Because plans that pay commissions for recruiting new distributors inevitably collapse when no new distributors can be recruited. And when a plan collapses, most people-except perhaps those at the very top of the pyramid-end up empty-handed.”

In a 2004 United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Staff Advisory letter to the Direct Selling Association states:

Much has been made of the personal, or internal, consumption issue in recent years. In fact, the amount of internal consumption in any multi-level compensation business does not determine whether or not the FTC will consider the plan a pyramid scheme. The critical question for the FTC is whether the revenues that primarily support the commissions paid to all participants are generated from purchases of goods and services that are not simply incidental to the purchase of the right to participate in a money-making venture.

The FTC warns “Not all multilevel marketing plans are legitimate. Some are pyramid schemes. It’s best not to get involved in plans where the money you make is based primarily on the number of distributors you recruit and your sales to them, rather than on your sales to people outside the plan who intend to use the products.” and states that research is your best tool and gives eight steps to follow:

* 1) Find — and study — the company’s track record.
* 2) Learn about the product
* 3) Ask questions
* 4) Understand any restrictions
* 5) Talk to other distributors (beware shills)
* 6) Consider using a friend or adviser as a neutral sounding board or for a gut check.
* 7) Take your time.
* 8) Think about whether this plan suits your talents and goals.

However there are people who hold that all MLMs are nothing more than pyramid schemes even if they are legal rendering the whole issue of a particular MLM being legal moot.

Compensation plans
Companies have devised a variety of MLM compensation plans over the decades.

* Unilevel plans: This type of plan is often considered the simplest of compensation plans. As the name suggests, the plan allows a person to sponsor one line of distributors, called a “frontline.” Every distributor the person sponsors is considered to be on that sponsor’s frontline and there are no width limitations, meaning there is no limit to the amount of people one can sponsor in the frontline. The common goal of this plan is to recruit a large number of frontline distributors and then encourage them to do the same. This is due to the fact that commissions are normally paid out on a limited depth, which typically means sponsor can earn commissions on sales between 5 and 7 levels deep.

* Stairstep Breakaway plans: This type of plan is characterized as having representatives who are responsible for both personal and group sales volumes. Volume is created by recruiting and by retailing product. Various discounts or rebates may be paid to group leaders and a group leader can be any representative with one or more downline recruits. Once predefined personal and/or group volumes are achieved, a representative moves up a commission level. This continues until the representative’s sales volume reaches the top commission level and “breaks away” from their upline. From that point on, the new group is no longer considered part of his upline’s group and the multi-level compensation aspect ceases. The original upline usually continues to be compensated through override commissions and other incentives.

* Matrix plans: This type of plan is similar to a Uni-Level plan, except there is also a limited number of representatives who can be placed on the first level. Recruits beyond the maximum number of first level positions allowed are automatically placed in other downline (lower level) positions. Matrix plans often have a maximum width and depth. When all positions in a representative’s downline matrix are filled (maximum width and depth is reached for all participants in a matrix), a new matrix may be started. Like Uni-Level plans, representatives in a matrix earn unlimited commissions on limited levels of volume with minimal sales quotas.

* Binary plans: A binary plan is a multilevel marketing compensation plan which allows distributors to have only two front-line distributors. If a distributor sponsors more than two distributors, the excess are placed at levels below the sponsoring distributor’s front-line. This “spillover” is one of the most attractive features to new distributors since they need only sponsor two distributors to participate in the compensation plan. The primary limitation is that distributors must “balance” their two downline legs to receive commissions. Balancing legs typically requires that the number of sales from one downline leg constitute no more than a specified percentage of the distributor’s total sales.

* Hybrid plans are compensation plans that are constructed using elements of more than one type of compensation plan.

Income levels
Several sources have commented on the income level of specific MLMs or MLMs in general:

* The Times: “The Government investigation claims to have revealed that just 10 per cent of Amway’s agents in Britain make any profit, with less than one in ten selling a single item of the group’s products.”
* Scheibeler, a high level “Emerald” Amway member: “UK Justice Norris found in 2008 that out of an IBO [Independent Business Owners] population of 33,000, ‘only about 90 made sufficient incomes to cover the costs of actively building their business.’ That’s a 99.7 percent loss rate for investors.”
* Newsweek: based on Mona Vie’s own 2007 income disclosure statement “fewer than 1 percent qualified for commissions and of those, only 10 percent made more than $100 a week.”
* Business Students Focus on Ethics: “In the USA, the average annual income from MLM for 90% MLM members is no more than US $5,000, which is far from being a sufficient means of making a living (San Lian Life Weekly 1998)”
* USAToday: “While earning potential varies by company and sales ability, DSA says the median annual income for those in direct sales is $2,400.”

Criticism of MLM
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a decision, In re Amway Corp., in 1979 in which it indicated that multi-level marketing was not illegal per se in the United States. However, Amway was found guilty of price fixing (by requiring “independent” distributors to sell at the low price) and making exaggerated income claims.

The FTC advises that multi-level marketing organizations with greater incentives for recruitment than product sales are to be viewed skeptically. The FTC also warns that the practice of getting commissions from recruiting new members is outlawed in most states as “pyramiding”. In April 2006, it proposed a Business Opportunity Rule intended to require all sellers of business opportunities—including MLMs—to provide enough information to enable prospective buyers to make an informed decision about their probability of earning money. In March 2008, the FTC removed Network Marketing (MLM) companies from the proposed Business Opportunity Rule:

The revised proposal, however, would not reach multi-level marketing companies or certain companies that may have been swept inadvertently into scope of the April 2006 proposal.

Walter J. Carl stated in a 2004 Western Journal of Communication article that “MLM organizations have been described by some as cults (Butterfield, 1985), pyramid schemes (Fitzpatrick & Reynolds, 1997), or organizations rife with misleading, deceptive, and unethical behavior (Carter, 1999), such as the questionable use of evangelical discourse to promote the business (Hopfl & Maddrell, 1996), and the exploitation of personal relationships for financial gain (Fitzpatrick & Reynolds, 1997).”

Because of encouraging recruits to further recruit their competitors, some people have even gone so far as to say at best MLMs are nothing more than legalized pyramid schemes with one stating “Multi-level marketing companies have become an accepted and legally sanctioned form of pyramid scheme in the United States” while another states “Multi-Level Marketing, a form of Pyramid Scheme, is not necessarily fraudulent.”

Guilty Until Proven Innocent?

Indeed, it can seem as if we are…we in the network marketing industry…guilty until proven innocent. We often get labeled as “scam artists” and “crooks”, and our business models as a “pyramid scheme”. Not much has changed there.

In North America things have changed a bit perhaps, but in many, more traditional, less free-thinking cultures around the world people still look suspiciously upon those who who have chosen to do things a little “differently”.

“Differently” as in choosing NOT to slave for peanuts in a job they loathe, with nothing to show for it at the end of the month (or year, or decade) but fatigue, health problems, credit card debts and strained family relations.

So why does network marketing still carry this stigma? Why, in the year 2010, do we marketers still manage to draw so much negative attention to ourselves? (As I will talk more about in a minute, I actually think the MLM’ers themselves are partly to blame.)

You would think that after having been around for over 50 years, our industry would be, if not embraced, at least largely accepted, by the average Joe…not so often frowned upon.

So…in short, here’s what I deem to be the problem:

In today’s internet world, people can pretty much post whatever they want online. And those that are easily persuaded — well, they get duped. Sometimes they get duped by scam artists, true, but other times they get duped by people who aren’t out for their pocket books but their dreams.

And dream stealers, in my opinion, are some of the worst thieves there are.

Either way, one should be careful to accept public opinion as gospel truth. Don’t assume that just because someone knows how to effectively use the word “scam” in an article headline, this automatically makes them an expert on the subject.

So…before you sacrifice your dream on the altar of public ignorance, consider the following:

The VAST MAJORITY of those who flippantly throw around words like “pyramid scheme”, “scam” and “scandal”, fall into one of four categories:

Category #1. They are marketers with competing companies who use negative advertising to try to “win over” customers: “ABC company is a pyramid, stay away from them…here is a legit company that I work with, check it out, it’s the best opportunity ever known to mankind.” Blah-blah-blah…

In other words, it’s a marketing tactic, the purpose of which is to lure potential buyers away from one’s competitors. This is extremely common in online marketing, where advertisers fight tooth and nail for the top spots on the search engines.

Category #2. They used to represent the company they are now bashing. At some point and for whatever reason they got disappointed, disillusioned, or disgruntled… perhaps they had a dispute with the leadership, their own sponsor, or fellow members, and instead of peacefully settling the matter between themselves, they are now taking their own very public revenge:

They are using the internet as a vent, knowing full well that on the world wide web, for better or for worse, it’s the one who makes the most noise who gets the attention.

Category #3. They are current reps with the company in question, and are using ’scare tactics’ to draw eyeballs: Their ad or video title may read “ABC company a scam?”, but when you visit their page, you get the rest of the story: “No, ABC company is NOT a scam, and I will prove it to you! Let me show you why ABC in fact is the best business opportunity even known to mankind. ” Blah-blah-blah.

I strongly encourage you to stay away from negative advertising so as not to compromise your own integrity as a leader and a marketer. Drawing unnecessary negative attention to your company is in the long run going to hurt both you and them, and the same goes for dragging other reputable businesses through the mud.

In marketing, as in the rest of life, what goes around, really does come around.

Category #4. They are individuals outside our industry who simply don’t understand what it is we do. People are often afraid of what’s new, unfamiliar or different, and they feel they need to put labels on things to better categorize them.

For those who can’t be bothered to educate themselves about the difference between an illegal pyramid and a legitimate network marketing business, it is easier to just group everyone together and throw up a nice big DANGER sign to make sure no one is “victimized”.

Knowing this, knowing why people do what they do and say what they say…next time, before you freak out, before you throw out the baby with the bathwater, I suggest you first get the FACTS. All the facts. And just the facts.

Do proper research, get both sides of the story, and then make up your own mind about the matter. You’ll be a better and more informed person for it – and heavens knows, a heck of a lot better marketer.

This Is Called Living

1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16.. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will this matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’d grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.
42. The best is yet to come…
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

Africapitalism! Entrepreneurs Should Be Watching Africa

Many investors and philanthropists still miss two important points about how and why many of the continent’s investors are succeeding.

By Tony O. Elumelu, Contributor

FORTUNE — The turnaround of Africa’s economy gets a lot of attention. Yet, despite a gradual evolution in thinking, many investors and philanthropists still miss two important points about how and why Africa is succeeding: African-led entrepreneurship is growing rapidly and needs to be encouraged further; and long-term capital commitments that build economic prosperity and social wealth should not be a niche asset class—they should be the heart of all investing in Africa.

I have called this development approach “Africapitalism,” and its adoption as the driving force of African development is an urgent matter, not just for Africa, but for the world.

Africa’s workforce will soon be the largest in the world. According to McKinsey & Company, by 2040, Africa will be home to one in five of the planet’s young people and a working population of 1.1 billion people. Many believe this “demographic dividend” can fuel Africa’s economic competitiveness, but it could also pose a huge global burden if that potential is squandered.

Decades of charity work and tens of billions of dollars have failed to create economic self-sufficiency. And while investors have finally opened their eyes to the potential for making money in Africa (GDP growth is on par with the much-touted BRICs countries; equity returns are strong; and combined consumer spending exceeds that of Russia or India), they have yet to fully commit to the idea that concurrently creating social wealth is one of the best ways of ensuring the success of their investment.

I believe this africapitalist business model drove the success of United Bank for Africa (UBA), which started with the acquisition of a failed institution and a vision for democratizing Nigeria’s banking sector. UBA became a leading pan-African institution because it created much-needed financial infrastructure, opened channels of commerce, and met tremendous untapped demand among “unbanked” and ignored consumers—all the while, creating jobs, wealth and substantial investment returns.

In agriculture, Africa has substantial underutilized arable land. Yet we are a net food importer with chronic food security issues. Rather than looking to charity for solutions, we should see this as an opportunity for African-led entrepreneurship to solve problems. For this reason, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria recently commissioned a fruit juice concentrate processing plant in Benue State, Nigeria, where previously 60% of the fruit crop rotted on the ground for lack of storage and processing capacity. Such downstream private sector investment can create employment, boost farmers’ productivity and profitability, conserve foreign exchange, provide food security, and open new consumer markets domestically.

These cases demonstrate, as do many others, that Africans know where development is needed and can take the lead in executing on those goals. For their part, African governments are helping by stepping aside and letting entrepreneurs do their beneficial work, with governments doing the work that only they can do: providing a stable, transparent, fair environment in which businesses can thrive.

More philanthropists need to sharpen their focus on Africa’s competitive economic advantage, human capital, and private sector growth. Investors, both in Africa and abroad, need to realize that short-term investments focused on wealth extraction now put them at a competitive disadvantage. In the “new” Africa, economic winners solve problems and create shared value, generating sustainable growth and significant returns. By shifting development toward these approaches, Africa has the potential to leapfrog other emerging markets in industrial capital development, as it is doing in IT services, mobile telephony, mobile payments, and financial services.

I recently heard an American airline was considering building a hub for intra-African travel… in Spain. Why Spain, when Africans can do the job just as well, at the same time creating jobs and customers for the company’s product in Africa? African entrepreneurs need to step up and lead the way, and foreign investors must be ready to be African-led—all investors need to think long term, and seek social as well as economic gains.

During a recent week I was the keynote speaker at three venues in Washington D.C. – the World Bank President’s Philanthropy Advisory Council, the International Finance Corporation, and the Global Philanthropy Forum. At each one I was asked, in one way or another, what advice I might have about Africa for U.S. and global investors. My answer: embrace the opportunity and the urgency of Africapitalism.

Tony O. Elumelu is the chairman of Heirs Holdings and founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation, an African-based philanthropy committed to enhancing the competitiveness and growth of Africa’s private sector; he is the former Group CEO of United Bank for Africa, and current Chairman of Transcorp.

Letter from God

To My Precious Son Nicholas:
Because I knew even before I created the earth that you would accept My love for you, and that you would seek to know Me thus…
In the beginning I created the heavens and the earth. Then at the right time and in the right place I created you. I created your inner most being, I created every part of you, I knit you together in your mother’s womb. You were carefully and wonderfully made; my works are wonderful, and you Nicholas are my work. My eyes saw your unformed body. All the days planned for you were written in my book before one of them came to be. How precious are my thoughts for you, How great is the number of them! If you were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
Listen to me; Nicholas I created you and have cared for you since before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime, until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. I will carry you in my arms, holding you close to my heart. For I know the plans that I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Nicholas there are some times of suffering in your life. But the temporary suffering of this life does not compare to the glory that shall be revealed in you. Know this that I am with you and I will help you. Your help comes from me, I am the God who created the heavens and the earth, and the one who created you. I will never leave you, I will never reject you. When your parents fail you I will pick you up, hold you close, and adopt you. Nothing can ever separate you from my love for you. When you are in trouble and distress my love is with you. When you are persecuted my love is with you. When you are hungry and cold and naked my love is with you, I am always with you. When you are in danger and threatened with death my love is with you, I will be with you forever.
Nicholas know that nothing can separate you from my love, no matter how high you go, no matter how deep you sink, nothing in life and not even death can separate you from Me, and My love for you. No demon or any other power in hell can separate you from my love. My love for you is revealed through Christ Jesus your Lord. In all things and every situation you will have victory, you will conquer, because the victory of Christ Jesus is your victory.
But now, Nicholas, I the LORD, who created you and formed you, says: Do not be afraid, for I have purchased you. I have called you by name; you are mine. When you go through deep waters and great trouble, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, they will not over flow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned. I command you to be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid; do not be dismayed, for I, the LORD your God will be with you everywhere you go.
Nicholas, know that everything will work together for your good, because you love me. You have been called according to my purpose. For I knew you before you were born and I predestined you to be conformed to the likeness of my Son, Jesus Christ. This is your destiny, and this is your purpose, that you become one with my Son Jesus, and thus one with me. I created you in my image so that you and I can express love to each other. The most intimate relationship you can have is with me because you and I are becoming one. You and your brothers and sisters that believe in me are becoming one with Jesus, and thus one with me. You in me, and me in you, together, unified by my love for you. You were designed for this purpose, nothing else will ever satisfy your deepest needs, your deepest desires, only I can. Because you seek to know me I satisfy your heart with love, joy, and peace that only I can give you.
Nicholas if you should forget me, and enter into sin, and not turn back to Me on your own then I will punish you. Because your sin will separate you from feeling My presence, and My influence, and I want you to return to your first love, the One who loves you. I the Lord discipline those I love, and I punish everyone who I accept as my child. Just as a good Father disciplines His children to turn them away from a dangerous path, so I shall discipline you for your good, that you may share in My holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
Nicholas, When you confess your sins, I am faithful and just and will forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. In repentance and resting in Me is your salvation, in quietness and trusting Me is your strength. I will create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. I will not send you away from My presence, and I will not take My Holy Spirit from you. I will restore again the joy of your salvation, and make you willing to obey Me. Then you will teach My ways to sinners, and they will return to Me also. Humble yourself, therefore, under My mighty hand, that I may lift you up at the right time.
Nicholas do not forget all my benefits, I forgive all your sins and heal all your diseases, I rescue your life from the pit of destruction and crown you with love and compassion. I satisfy your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. I The LORD work righteousness and justice for all the oppressed; I The LORD am compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. I will not always accuse, nor will I harbor my anger forever; I do not treat you as your sins deserve or repay you according to your iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is My love for you because you fear Me; as far as the east is from the west, so far have I removed your transgressions from you.
Nicholas, call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. Always pray to Me about your every concern, pray from your mouth and pray from your heart, I hear every thought that you think. Everything that you care about, I care about also because it concerns you. Cast all your cares and anxiety on Me because I love you. Trust in Me, the LORD YOUR GOD, with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding; In everything acknowledge Me, And I will direct your paths. Do not worry about anything, but in everything big or small, by prayer, with thanksgiving, present your requests to Me, the Most High God. And I will give you My peace in your heart, peace that is beyond all human understanding, and it will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Always be joyful. Keep on praying always. No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is My will for you because you belong to Me.
Nicholas, Study My Book of law and truth, the Holy Bible, do not let My words depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. My words are Spirit and they are Life. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you will, and it will be given you. For the word of God is living and powerful. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The most important thing you will ever own is your Bible because it gives you knowledge of Me, The Most High God. It makes the poor rich, it gives hope to the hopeless, faith to the fearful, food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, love to the despised, comfort to the lonely, freedom to the prisoner, health to the sick, light in the darkness, and life to the dying.
Nicholas I have set up circumstances and situations in your life to cause you to seek Me and find Me. I desire that you know Me. I am The Lord your God, full of compassion, and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches; But Nicholas glory in this, That you understand and know Me, That I am the LORD, exercising compassion, lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight and take pleasure.
All things are created for My pleasure and My pleasure is to show forth loving compassion. I have compassion on the poor and needy, and I am a Father to the fatherless, I help them, and I defend them. Far below Me are the heavens and the earth, I stoop to look down, and I lift the poor from the dirt and the needy from the garbage dump and I set them among princes. Nicholas I want you to do these things also, have compassion on the poor and needy and help them, this is what it means to know Me. For I am Love, and when you live in love, you live in Me, and I live in you. Loving compassion is good, and this is what I require from you, to do what is right, to love compassion, and to walk humbly with your God.
As a father has compassion on his children, so I your LORD have compassion on you because you fear Me; for I know how you were formed, I remember that you are dust. Forever and ever My love is with you because you fear Me, and My righteousness with your children’s children; with those who keep My covenant and remember to obey My laws. My law is to love. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments all of My laws are based. When you walk in love you are obeying all My laws. When you walk in Love you are walking in My Holy Spirit for I AM LOVE!
Nicholas come and live in My shelter, in the protection of the Most High God, you will find rest in the presence of the Almighty. You will say, “This I declare of the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him.” Nicholas I will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. I will shield you with My wings. I will shelter you with My feathers. My faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished.
Because you Nicholas make the LORD your refuge, because you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For I order My angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet!
Nicholas, My servant, and My friend, whom I have chosen, I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will hold you up with my righteous right hand. All who come against you will surely be ashamed and disgraced; those who oppose you will be as nothing and perish. Though you search for your enemies, you will not find them. Those who wage war against you will be as nothing at all. For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you. Do not be afraid, for I myself will help you declares the LORD, your Redeemer. You will rejoice in the LORD and glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Nicholas, when you asked Me to forgive your sins and come into your heart I sent My Holy Spirit into you to comfort you, to give you power, and as proof to you that I have adopted you as My child. The Holy Spirit shall lead you into all truth because He shall testify of Jesus, and He will give you power to testify of Jesus. I will speak to you through My Holy Spirit that is in you, He will tell you what is right and wrong, what is love and hate. My Holy Spirit is a gentle whisper inside your heart telling you the path to walk in. If you walk in My Spirit you will walk in love, you will not sin. And you will see great and mighty things happen before you, they will not be accomplished by strength, nor by outside force, but by My Spirit says the LORD ALMIGHTY. Through My Holy Spirit I shall give you supernatural gifts that you may be blessed, and that you shall bless others through demonstrating My love for them. My Holy Spirit will be with you through out your whole life, and after I will receive you into My glory.
I your LORD say to you I will rescue you because you love me. I will protect you because you trust in my name. When you call on me, I will answer; I will be with you in trouble. I will rescue you and honor you. I will satisfy you with a long life and give you my salvation. Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me. It is your destiny.
Thus Says THE LORD Your GOD !

My Journey To Salvation

“Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart…” Jeremiah 1:5

My Early Years
I was born in 1975 in Mulago Hospital, Kampala, Uganda to Mr. Joseph Katumba and Ms. Harriet Sajjabi. When you trace back the calendar, that day was a Sunday. All my early life, I was brought up as a very staunch catholic and at one time I thought about becoming a catholic priest. The person responsible for a greater part of my upbringing is my paternal grandmother, Ms. Pauline Namutebi, who is a very staunch catholic.

I went through all those required catholic “holy” communion ceremonies like sharing in the body and blood of Jesus Christ (Kalimwezi), catechism and confirmation (Omujiji). I used to be so participative in the church activities including taking readings in services. I participated in the Bible reading competition, where I emerged the best and the prize then was a Luganda Bible, my very first Bible. Much of this time I was in Primary School at Kyamaganda Boys Demonstration School in Masaka, now Lwengo District.

Questions Begin
In the year 1989 is when I underwent the Omujiji training. I was then 14 years and in Primary six. This training took the whole year of 1989 and confirmation (graduation) for me was supposed to happen in December of that same year, but it never did. Below is the reason why:

In the catholic religion it was mandatory for everyone to attend minimum of 40 (forty) Omujiji training sessions. I had attended only 38. I used to be such a sickly child that I missed some of those training sessions. However, when time for testing us came, the results showed that I emerged top of all the other trainees, numbering about 200 in total, with a score of 84%. But the head nun who was in charge of the training and the head priest of Kyamaganda parish (Pele Kamya was his name) decided that I would not graduate together with some other trainees, unless we went back for two more months for training to compensate for those days that we had missed. I refused. At that age, I reasoned with them saying that they were training me to know and understand things religious and the examinations they gave us showed that I had understood, so they should graduate me. They refused, and I decided to give it a break.

In 1993, I was then living with my mother, together with my maternal grandmother in Busega; that is when I was introduced to the Pentecostal movement. Granny used to pray from Elim church in Mengo, so she invited a pastor who preached to us, together with my young brother Alexander Yawe and we accepted Jesus for the first time. So we started going for prayer fellowships at Elim church with Granny. Later we backslid and went back to the catholic religious practices.

In 1995, when I was 20 years and in High School, my step-mum arranged for my confirmation (Omujiji Graduation), which I had missed 7 years earlier. I received this at St. Jude’s shrine in Naguru, Kampala. Once again I became very active in the catholic religious practices.

But in that very year of 1995, more questions came to my mind. I always read my bible, considering the fact that I took Christian Religious Education (CRE) as one of the subjects at High School and I was able to understand what the Bible says about Christian conduct. These questions were provoked by the attitudes, behaviors and conduct of people I considered as very religious. Some of these actually led to my being chased away from home because I was not in good terms with my step-mum. I was not really stubborn, but I always questioned and I still do question certain decisions by people which I don’t find with merit – I sometimes challenge the status quo. There was also a certain neighbor whom we regarded as an uncle and very long time family friend; this gentleman was so religious to the extent that he had been chosen as the head of the laity (Sabakiristu) for Kigoowa Parish Church and he indeed did a lot of work for that church. This gentleman never wanted us to share even textbooks with his children! He is in fact the one who advised my father to chase me away from home. So I used to ask myself about what the Bible says, and I always found out that it said contrary to how these people were behaving and conducting themselves. However I was still bent on remaining a catholic.

But when I joined university, in a way I felt that God wanted me to go through such and understand all these things and later be able to fight for what is really true Christianity as He meant it when He sent His only Son to the world to be sacrificed on the cross. So at university, I came back closer to the born-again faith. I would attend prayer fellowships and get involved in a number of other Christian activities. But again I started realizing something not right about the born-again Christians (Balokole). The whole thing had turned out to be a business for most of the “pastors”. I felt that what they were doing was not right. They were just manipulating people. But at the same time I did not want to go back to catholicism due to the misgivings I already had about them. I decided to join the Anglican (Church of Uganda) for the rest of my university days. I started praying at St. Luke’s Church in Ntinda, where I got introduced to Bible Study.

All this time, I read my Bible intensely and always prayed to God to show me the truth; to make me understand the truth. But again slowly by slowly I started sliding back to catholicism, although I was not very keen this time. For the questions had become so many about the catholic religious practices like the rosary, worshiping of idols and praying through saints, yet the Bible says to the contrary.

On 14th November 2008, as I was coming from attending a company end of year party for Uganda Telecom, I met a young lady. We chatted that evening, we exchanged pleasantries and contacts. I was later to find out that she was a pastor’s daughter. We started dating and later she agreed to become my wife when I asked her. This lady is Nicole Justine Nabwami, a daughter to ‘Bishop” David Tomusange of Fountain of Life Church in Najjanankumbi.

When we got married, she persuaded me to receive total salvation but I always told her that there is no way I could change my religion which I have practiced for the last more than 30 years. I obviously didn’t know what I was talking about. I did not understand God’s power to transform people. She always invited pastors at home to fellowship with the family and I had no problem about it. For I still believed that the Gospel in the Bible is supreme and I also knew, because I had read the history of the church, that catholicism was at one time a congregation based on the true Bible message, but it was adulterated by self-seeking Romans who introduced their idolatry into the church.

But one night I had a terrifying dream in which I saw snakes attacking us together with my children. I woke up and shouted that, “where are these coming from?” My wife heard and asked me what I had dreamt. I told her and we prayed that night for three hours. We agreed that in the next morning I should go for deliverance at Mutundwe Christian Fellowship. That day was March 14, 2011 when I chose and decided to give my entire life to Jesus. Since then, it has not been the same and in some instances it has not been smooth for me especially with my family members – father, step-mum, auties, brothers – and friends, who according to them, I have been foolish by changing my religion, saying that how can I allow a woman to change me. Of course they say all these without knowledge and understand that it is not people who changed me or saved me, it is God Himself who poured His grace on me that I can understand His ways. Some of these people decide to cut off ties with me. My father at one time called me and told me that I had to return to the catholic religion or I risk being chased from the family and I ordinarily just told him that it was okay for him to do what he felt right in his mind.

There is one thing that I have noticed. Since 14th March 2011, my desire to know the truth and practice it has reached boiling point. This desire with the determination I have led me to a number of churches where I felt that what is preached there is not the entire gospel truth. I sought God to fill me with the Holy Spirit to guide me to a church where the real gospel truth is preached. He answered me and that answer was Gospel Power Center Kira.

There is one other thing you have to know. When you desire the truth and you are determined to find it, when it presents itself, you instantly realize it that it is the truth. That is what happened to me. As I continue in this salvation journey, I pray that the God’s grace keeps with me that He uses me to bring His truth to many more people who are being misled by religious sects and self-seeking pastors.

In another story I will tell you about the untruthfulness in today’s pastors and show you how they are manipulating people for their own personal gains and in a very unfortunate way leading them to hell.
I will also show you in another story that Christianity is not about religious practices but a relationship which everyone shares with God. Religion is a set of principles, rules, customs and practices devised by people to find God, but salvation is God’s plan to bring us back to Himself. So think about what is better for you. Your own endeavors or God’s plan for you.

Nicholas, the Person and more about him.

Nicholas Ddumba Katumba, the Person

I am slightly extraverted and reports say that it’s so nice to be me. I am comfortable being the center of attention, and I am just as comfortable sitting back and letting others take the spotlight. I have a warm and friendly personality that allows me to take any leadership role – that is, if I want it. I do not mind public speaking, but sometimes I have to be in the proper frame of mind to feel at ease when making a presentation. When I believe in something, I do not hesitate to state my mind and people enjoy when I do this, because I have a cheerful way about myself. At times, I seek thrills and adventure, but a night at home relaxing is just as fun for me.

I am a very considerate person. Oh, and I am popular within my circles. I truly value harmony in dealing with others. People recognize my friendly, generous and helpful personality. My easy-going, agreeable nature makes me such a joy to be around – this is especially true in meetings or general conversations. The topic may become heated, but I am conscious of others’ feelings and I will always find a happy medium in order to placate those around me. This is because I have an optimistic view of human nature and I realize that if I trust people with their decisions that they are not trying to hurt me or take advantage of me. I consider this a special and rare quality and it is also seen in my altruism. I enjoy helping others. To me, it is not a sacrifice; to me, it is fulfilling to help others in need.

I am moderately impulsive. At times I can be impulsive, but not to the point where I am jeopardizing work or relationships. I know when to follow rules, but I also know when to bend those rules that are not set in stone. If my home or work space gets a little messy, I do not get upset or feel compelled to tidy up. I do not have to have perfect order in my life to feel good about myself or my environment. I tend to be more on the fun side of spontaneity, and enjoy being flexible with my plans and my life. In general, I prefer to make short-term goals rather than long-term goals.

I am slightly relaxed. I have the ability to cope just fine in stressful situations. I tend to feel the stress and frustration in pressure-filled situations, but I am able to overcome any negative feelings. I tend to worry slightly, but not enough to interfere with my activities. If I am experiencing a tough time in my life, I am able to stave off feelings of depression. I am able to think clearly and realistically in difficult circumstances, so that I can devise a sensible solution. Sometimes, I can be impatient, other times I can be relaxed – it just depends on the circumstance and how much I can control it. People are not afraid that I will lose my temper. I am able to manage my emotions when necessary. When I do become angry, it is only because something is out of my power.

I am quite a practical person in nature. I want just the facts – keep it plain and simple. I am always practical, pragmatic and well grounded. I have no time for carelessness and impracticality. I prefer to keep my emotions to myself, rather than exposing my feelings to the world. Life moves much better for me when I can maintain a schedule and have routine in my life. Unexpected surprises and chaos are a major inconvenience to me. I tend to be conservative and somewhat resistant to unnecessary change. Others respect my ability to act properly in my everyday life.

I am very abstract in my thinking. I tend to be quick to grasp ideas, a fast learner and intelligent. I possess a hallmark of intelligence that potentially separates human beings from earlier life forms, the ability to think about future consequences before acting on an impulse. My reasoning activity involves contemplation of long-range goals, organizing and planning routes to these goals, and persisting towards my goals in the face of short-lived impulses to the contrary. I also have keen interest in intellectual matters and love to play with ideas and think theoretically. I tend to be open-minded to new and unusual ideas, and like to debate intellectual issues. I often enjoy riddles, puzzles and brainteasers.

Nicholas Ddumba Katumba: Performance Indicators

I work best with minimal supervision and control. I am decisive and direct and I do like to control the work environment. I take on a challenge easily and I am comfortable with change.

I am generally an optimistic and enthusiastic person. A good promoter and motivator. I enjoy freedom of movement and I am better with the big picture than the details.

Sometimes I tend to be less dependable and an unstable team-player, especially when the other players are not dependable and are slow. I am not always a kind of person who enjoys a stable and predictable work environment. I always expect change, and I respond positively to necessary change.

I am an analytical individual who is also accurate and good with details and enjoy working where critical thinking is needed. I am a conscientious person with a well-developed idea of right and wrong.

I am internally motivated to make own decisions and then take action. Sometimes forceful, and will seek to be in charge and in control when things are not moving according to plan. I am a strong-willed person.

My Primary Behavioral Tendencies

Productivity:
• I may experience frustration when time passes without getting much accomplished.
• I subscribe to the idea that time is money
• Sometimes I set goals that are difficult to reach
• I enjoy firing line activities that have attainable, concrete goals
• Focusing on concrete objectives, I prefer the practical, down-to-earth approach
• Preferring to deal in the here and now, I need to see the results of my work
• I tend to avoid spending time on small talk and socializing
• Valuing time, I take pride in efficient solutions

Quality of Work:
• I have only moderate interest in the exactness and detail of work
• Generally, I make an effort to organize my work. However, I can become impatient with details
• I prefer to take shortcuts whenever possible

Initiative:
• I tend to accept responsibility for my actions
• Generally I prefer minimal guidance and coaching
• I have a tendency to accept new responsibilities
• I will sometimes challenge the status quo
• Typically, I will do what is necessary to get the job done

Teamwork:
• I tend to relate to individual needs, encouraging individual expression
• I am generally flexible and open-minded
• I usually participate in group problem solving efforts
• I encourage individual initiative
• Usually, I listen to others and take an objective view of situations

Problem Solving:
• I am usually capable of being an effective problem solver
• Usually, I prefer simple, practical and easy-to-follow instructions
• I am likely to stress pragmatic approaches based on commonsense and practical experience
• I am always willing to experiment with change and new ideas