Welcome to the Year 2021. I congratulate you and myself for being alive to witness the new year. It is not a gainsaying that last year 2020 was a year filled with challenges, some of which we were not familiar with; talk of COVID-19 Pandemic ravaging the entire universe added to world economic meltdown. I am sure your country of abode is not an exception to the fact; economic meltdown, unemployment, closure of some infant businesses and shut down of businesses we believed are growing, health challenges, and of course thousands of deaths recorded worldwide.

In Nigeria, as if COVID-19 with its challenges are not enough, there was the endSARS protests which claimed lives of some of the protesters because of the forces yet to be established that reacted aggressively to the youth protests for mismanagement of the public resources at some levels of decision making and other issues. The number of lives that were dead is yet to be established.

However, we must also acknowledge the fact that in the same year 2020, many people experienced breakthroughs; new businesses opening as a result of the COVID-19 challenges. Many people were able to have their breakthroughs with the products available to control the pandemic, while new ideas were birthed as a result of the prevailing problems staring people at face.  Through it all, you and I made it to the Year 2020, and that on its own worth celebration of the gift of our lives.

Now, you need to arise and utilise the God-given talents endowed you, your knowledge, experiences and expertise to be influencing your world positively. How are you to going to achieve this? It is very simple! You only need to practice the following tips to enjoy unstoppable progress you sincerely desire.  Here we go!

• Believe in yourself and your God-given potentials.
• Reference God in whatever you are doing, He is able to reveal hidden treasures to you for your success.
• Have unwavering desire to succeed in life but avoid cutting corners.
• Endeavor to grow beyond your comfort zone, learn to go extra miles.
• Prepare to risk certain things, understand the fact that risk takers are high flyers.
• Don’t be too comfortable with the status-quo, ask questions and get ready to contribute positively for a better change.
• Be proactive.
• Look for opportunities even in challenges. There are hidden opportunities where many perceive challenges.
• Start thinking outside the box, broaden your mindset.
• Recognise obstacles to your achievements and make sure you overcome the challenges.
• Determine to do what is right all the time, the world still cherish and admire upright personalities.
• Try to balance your time. Maintain balance between work and rest, same to work and play.
• Make use of your valuable time well; don’t spend time, invest it
• Determine value in any course of action you are embarking upon. Remember, value is the benefit or reward you get in return for time well utilised.
• The quality of your services or goods is what will make you to be distinguished for excellence, do it well.

You should be able to differentiate between must haves, should have and good to haves. You cannot have everything you want. Differentiate between need and wants

• Be well organised, it speaks a lot about you to your world.
• Endeavor to have planners; physical planners have a way of making us remember important things in our lives.
• Surround yourself with positive people, this has a lot to do with your personal development.
• Choose your friends wisely. Birds of the same feather flocks together.
• Be exceptional in what you do, if an idea nods you, do not throw it away. Celebrate your idea by developing it. A single idea may be just what you need to achieve greatly.
• Keep dreaming, success has something doing with your imagination. If you can dream it, be assured that you can have it, only if you refuse to give up.

In conclusion, soar. Make things happen and be unapologetically you! The entire universe will move for you to achieve your goals. Pull your weight to what you believe in. Shape your world positively. Maintain positive attitude always. Trail the blaze!

I wish you a fruitful, prosperous and amazing year 2021.