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                 PERSONAL LIFE MANAGEMENT

(Self-Management Series by Biola Bamidele)

 

INTRODUCTION: According to Webster, Management is defined as the judicious use of MEANS to accomplish an END.

·        3 major MEANS have been identified :Time, Finance and Manpower (people) and they would be discussed one after the other.

·        There is no other end every rational being aspires to attain in their chosen career and life than success, fulfillment and significance.

·        The essence of Management is to plan, so we are going to do a little of this, as we consider each important life resource.

 

 

Time is an essential resource that is common to all but the least managed. Abraham Lincoln once said, “all men are created equal, with equal opportunity and with equal access under the law just the same way we are endowed with equal time ...We are only created with different capacities; mentalities, backgrounds and we are raised in different environments.”

Time is the one of the major resources of God endowed to all equally, without partiality including the President of United States and the unnoticed beggar on the street of Ajegunle in Lagos.

The value of time is in everybody’s mouth but in a few peoples practice. The adage time wait for no one has been on since time immemorial, but only few are conscious of time. Time cannot be stopped, stored or stretched, whether you push or pull, time will go.

Chesterfield said: “No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination, never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” Take care of the minutes so that the hours could take care of themselves.

“In time, take time while time dost last, for time is no time when time is past.”

-Anonymous.

 

“A stitch in time they say saves nine.”

- Popular Adage.

If time is thus so important, then what is time?

Time has been defined as the duration in which things happen in the past, present and future.

                   -Omisore, O. (1999).

“If time be of all things most precious, wasting time must be the greatest prodigality, since lost time is never found again, and what we call time enough always proves little enough.”

                               - Anonymous.

 

Two Major Virtues that enhance Time Management

(1)               Self Discipline: The basic technique of Time Management therefore lies in self-discipline. A disciplined man by an orderly systematic arrangement of his work conserves the energy of mind and body that is frittered away unconsciously and without adequate return by the unmethodical man.

(2)               Enthusiasm: The second rule of Time Management according to Sidney Neuton Bremer is enthusiasm.

It is the solid faith in ones first cause, in ones self and the rooted belief in ones mission and calling.

It is important that one need to be passionate about managing his time against all odds. You have to believe that the ultimate goal of managing your time is to achieve success. One of the qualities of a true leader is that he is passionate about maximizing his time to get greatest return.

 

6 Clues to saving your Time

According to Paul J. Meyer the following are the 6 basic things to note when managing your time:

(1)               Take note and stick to it.

(2)               Remove distractions from your work area.

(3)               Discourage interruptions.

(4)               Learn to say NO.

(5)               Learn to listen carefully.

(6)               Let your postman be your errand boy.

 

NOTE: You can only achieve success by doing one thing after another; you don’t have to put a finger in every pie.  (John Ploughman).

(Watch out for more of this in “35 Ways to Save Time in your daily activities”. A second part of this Session).

 

 

 

Why do you need to plan time?

(a)                Planning leads to order. It is the will of God. (II Cor. 14:33, 40).

“If we fail to plan, we will plan to fail.”  

                               - Anonymous.

(b)               Christ advocated thinking ahead (planning). (Luke 14:28-32).

(c)                God desires to give specific direction to and in your Life. (Ps. 32:8; 37:23).

(d)               Planning your time helps you to prioritize on the most important activities and not on mere good activities.

 

HOW TO PLAN YOUR TIME TOWARDS ACHIEVING YOUR GOAL

(A)              Pray: (James 1:5). Ask for wisdom and direction in determining specific goal and objectives and best way to accomplishing those goals and objectives.

(B)              Establish objective - What should be accomplished.

(C)              Determine a programme -How to accomplish your objective, i.e., what activities are necessary.

(D)              Determine a schedule-When each activity in the plan should be accomplished in order to achieve your overall objective.

 

NOTE: Always place the very basic activities in your schedule first.

Why Scheduling?

(1)               God tell us to make the most of our time - (Eph. 5:15-16).

(2)               The indiscipline life leads to pursuit of little significant (II Thess. 3:11).

(3)               God has given you enough time to do His will if you use it wisely. (Ecc. 3:1).

(4)               You can avoid a meager return of your labour. (Haggai 1:2-11).

(5)               Time cannot be stopped, stored or stretched.

 

Steps in Scheduling

(1)               List all potential activities.

(2)               Determine if any activities is assignable to someone else.

(3)               Assess the priority of each remaining activities.

(4)               Place your activities on a daily schedule.

(5)               Make a budget -Usually to accomplish some of your activities it would involve financial implication, so determine that early enough so that it would not truncate your plan.

 

PLANNING PRACTICE

(Steps explained below).        EXAMPLE:

(a)                Pray -As a student, pray for wisdom as you set your goal for the semester in your academics and every area of your life. Pray also for wisdom and enablement to achieve these goals. Think well, make sure you take time to do this, and don’t rush.

(b)               Establish Objective - Your goal may be:

(i)                  To get (A’s) distinction in my five courses this semester URP 401, URP 403, URP 405, QTS 305, ESM 305.

(ii)        To glorify God as I pursue this goal.

(c)                Determine a Program:

(i)                  To get 5 A’s - “Attend lecture regularly/Read every evening/Buy handout available/Buy textbooks/Write notes in class/Attend tutorials and Group discussion/Pray for extra coaching classes in difficult courses/Do all assignments on time/Write all term papers well/Quiet time every morning before leaving room for God’s support and blessings.”

(ii)        To glorify God -“No cheating as I pursue this goal/Pray and thank God for every of my action/Not to go against school’s regulation or lecturer’s instruction/Make time for fellowship and personal prayers and devotion/Make time to share Christ with colleagues in my class or Group discussion/Resolve in my heart that getting good grades will always give me more opportunity to share Christ, even as I make progress in my chosen career, etc.”

(d)               Determine a Schedule: Use the sheet titled “Scheduled for the week” to assign time and period to every activity that must be carried out everyday and week towards achieving your goal. Use the sheet titled: “Day Plan” to arrange your day activities in order of priority with time assigned.

(e)                Make a Budget: Itemise the cost implication per day, week and month.

PERSONAL PRACTICE

We will be using 4 Time Management tools already prepared to learn how to manage our time in such a way that the dividends each day is great. Explanation given by the instructor.

 

WATCH OUT: For Session B on TIME MANAGEMENT, titled “35 Ways to Save Time in Your Daily Activities.”

 

REFERENCES:

·        New Life 2000 Great Commission Movement of Nigeria Training Manual. (Article on Management).

·        Essentials of Town and Country Planning Practice in Nigeria, E.O. Omisore.

TRANSITION FROM CAMPUS TO SERVICE YEAR 

By Biola Bamidele

Great Commission Movement of Nigeria.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Life in service year cannot be fully maximized if adequate preparation is not made. A Christian can easily lose his head and his stand during the service year if care is not taken. In order to prevent many young graduates from meeting their waterloo, this paper has been developed. The following hints would help every potential corper or serving corper to maximize their one year in the service of their nation.

 

PREPARATION FOR SERVICE YEAR FROM CAMPUS

 

“The Secrets of a successful man is for that man to be ready when his days come.”          — Benjamin Disraeli, four terms P.M. of Britain.

 

1.                 Ensure that you work hard and pass all your courses, so that you can graduate.

“A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.”

—    Don’t keep looking forward to service year and forget that your graduating in school is your entry passport to N.Y.S.C.

 

2.                 Develop yourself to be able to stand-alone independently.

—    Be emotionally balanced.

—    Have your own personal conviction on various issues of life.

—    Learn to be financially independent. Live within your means.

“One of the keys to maturity and manhood (being a man of yourself) is financial independence.”

                                                          — Anonymous.

3.                 Develop your relational skills.

—    You can’t be an island; man is created to depend on others and vice versa.

—    We are all relational beings. Learn to mix with other people. Pray for a large heart to accommodate others of different cultures and values.

—    We all need people in our lives. You cannot spend the whole one-year serving the nation without talking to other people.

4.                 Develop your Spiritual Life.

“If you faint in the day of adversity, it means your strength is small.”

                                                — Proverb 24:10.

—    Cultivate the habit of having daily sound devotional time.

—    Learn to pray, fast and have personal retreat.

—    Learn the skill of witnessing to others about Jesus and discipling them (follow-up).

5.                 Prepare your mind for the worst during service year.

—    Prepare your mind for a distant state and very remote village with no utilities, poor accommodation, and very bad roads and probably unfriendly community dwellers.

—    This mind set would help you a lot to start with.

6.                 Design a plan for your service year right from when you are still on campus. (How you want to maximize the year).

— Make sure your plan addresses your spiritual life, social life, mental life, career, etc.

7.                 Pray for your service year for God’s will.

— Pray all manner of prayers concerning this one year. You can ask God for what you want during this year.

 

FEW DAYS BEFORE CAMP

 

·        Make sure you have been cleared by the school as a graduate and issued a clearance slip.

·        Report to school on time to collect your call-up letter. Make sure you are current as to when the camp would resume. So, don’t go to your school late because admission to N.Y.S.C. camp has a deadline.

·        Take the original of your admission letter, your final school clearance and other important document to your school to collect your call-up letter.

·        Always make sure you have few passport photographs with you.

·        Before your leave for your school to collect your call-up letter, make sure your luggage (your traveling items for service year is arranged and complete).

 

THINGS TO TAKE TO CAMP OR FOR SERVICE YEAR

 

—   Toiletries — toilet soap, towel, sponge, toothpaste, toothbrush, cream, etc.

—   Boiling ring.

—   Cadigan.

—   Thick socks for cold.

—   Underwears.

—   Cutleries (2 or 3) — Food flask (for one mouth) to be used in camp.

—   Plastic pail (you can buy in camp to fetch water).

—   Needle and thread.

—   Writing materials.

—   Bible and good books.

—   Izal and Dettol. (The water may be bad).

—   Transistor radio.

—   Personal camera.

—   Waist bag to keep your money.

—   Mosquito net.

—   Bed sheets.

—   Body cover.

·        Don’t take expensive things to camp, stealing is rampant. (You don’t need too much clothes and shoes too).

 

CONDUCT IN CAMP

 

—   Ask reliable people for description to your State of posting. You can go in group from school if possible. Just find 2 or 3 persons or more who are posted to your State and make arrangements to leave together. Coincidently, you may even be leaving in the same area.

—   Get to camp on time (before camp closure); it would enhance your getting good kits and accommodation.

—   Immediately you report, get cleared, that is, do all necessary registration. You will be put through by NYSC official in your State of posting.

—   Adjust your NYSC kits if oversize, tailors are usually available in camp. Make sure you take right jungle boots and canvas.

—   Immediately you get to camp, look for a fellowship to join. There are N.C.C.F., Redeemed, Deeper Life, etc. Don’t hide your identity as a Christian throughout your service year, it is dangerous.

—   Mix well with people but also carry yourself with dignity.

—   Attend all N.Y.S.C. functions in camp, especially educative ones.

—   The exercises are also good for your health. But don’t overstress yourself. You are not pleasing anyone.

—   Prepare for early morning exercise, compulsory for everyone except ill corper.

—   Don’t leave the NYSC camp without the Commandant permission/permit.

—   Keep all your vital document very well including your clothes and kits. Stealing is rampant in camp.

—   Use marker to name all your kits, in case they mix with other peoples own.

—   Keep your money well; preferably take your money everywhere. Keep it in your waist bag.

—   Manage your money, don’t indulge in excessive snapping.

—   You will be paid Bicycle allowance, transport allowance and your first month allowance in camp, keep it well and manage it carefully, you stand the temptation of spending everything in the “Mammy Market” on camp.

—   Watch out for “toaster” if you are a girl. Know how to manage reckless guys, who fall in love easily at first sight even within few days of meeting. Be extremely careful going out with any guy. Seek God’s will; personally I would advice you not to take such person serious.

—   Even, within fellowship; verify every “God says” from a “brother” to a “sister”.

—   Ladies should be extremely decent in their dressing and comportment. The way we carry ourselves determines the kind of folks that flocks around us. Avoid excessive hugging and body contact with other fellow corpers, some take fun in that.

—   Immediately you get to camp, start actualizing your plans/dream.

—   Don’t be involved in all the activities in camp. Not every activity is good for a Christian. Not every song sang should be sung by you.

—   Don’t hang around late in the night. Go to your bed as early as possible.

—   Fellowship holds everyday in camp, so go for fellowship activities.

—   Keep yourself busy with reasonable things.

—   Take camp food, but once in a while you can buy meals at “Mammy Market” to manage your fund.

—   Watch the water you drink.

—   Don’t be surprised if you noticed that condoms are distributed freely to you in some camps. As a Christian, don’t take it. Of course, that is suggestive. In some camps, corpers sleep with each other on the field in the nights that is why you shouldn’t hang around late in the night.

 

WHAT TO TAKE NOTE WHEN LEAVING CAMP

 

—   Complete every camp registration in line with your next posting to your place of primary assignment.

—   Get your posting, usually you will know this on the last day of the camp.

—   NYSC officials/Local Government officials/or Senior Corps members (Batch A or B as the case may be) would help you locate your posting within the State.

—   Go in the company of others.

—   I advice you to seek for rejection if you are the only corper posted to a remote village, for your security. Usually, NYSC don’t make this mistake. You should be in group.

—   When you report to your place of primary assignment, complete every necessary registration. You will be asked to open a corper’s bank account where NYSC would be paying your allowance. You are likely to be given accommodation too by your place of primary assignment (the organization you will be working with); especially if you are posted to the village. City corper usually have problem with accommodation.

—   If you are posted to the North, don’t rush to enter any house or compound, watch out for this notice: “Ba Shi Ga” meaning, “No Entry”. Be careful. This can run you into trouble as a guy.

Where you can stay pending you get your own accommodation:

·        Fellowships usually have their own Secretariat called “Family House”, you can manage there.

·        N.Y.S.C. officials can assist you or Local Government officials.

—   Ladies should avoid passing night with nice guys or men, who offer you accommodation. Except if they are family men you trust; and they are not leaving alone. I advice 2 or 3 girls can even stay with such a family for your security.

—   People are usually promiscuous during service year, even if you are not interested; people would make passes at you, both boys and girls, be careful. Don’t stay alone with anyone especially in dark corners. Avoid emotional attachment. (H.I.V. is real, and God hate sin).

—   Follow your plans you designed before service year and work very hard. “Empty hand is Satan’s Workshop”.

— Popular Adage.

—   There is a day for C.D. (Community Development), don’t miss it.

—   Manage your resources well especially money, you can’t afford to waste money, you are far from home.

—   Be current with other corpers to know the latest.

—   Always sign your C.D. card and do your clearance regularly.

 

MAXIMIZING YOUR SERVICE YEAR

 

FACTS YOU MUST COME TO TERMS WITH

1.                  God tells us to make most of our time. — Eph. 5:15-16.

2.                  Time cannot be stored, stopped, nor stretched.

3.                  Life is a Trust and a Temporary Assignment. — Job 8:9; Ps. 39:4-5; I Cor. 4:2, 7b; Lk. 16:7, 11; Cor. 5:15.

4.                  Service year is a time of incredible opportunities. They are meant to be fully utilized.

 

SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT YOU CAN DO

 

(a)              Personal Spiritual Development

·        Read Bible extensively (you can use a guide, e.g., Cover to Cover, Our Daily Bread - 1 Year Guide, etc.).

·        Read good Christian books.

·        Fast and Pray. (Personal retreat, to seek God’s will).

 

(b)             Mental Development

Read! Read!! Read!!!, but not straw men’s volumes.

“Knowledge is power”. A wise man has great power and a man of knowledge increases strength”. Prov. 24:5.

“I read myself out of poverty long before I worked out of poverty”.

                                                — Walter Anderson.

(c)              Business Ideas

If you are gifted, you can make cool money through the following ways:

—   Teaching (coaching classes, primary, secondary, WAEC & JAMB candidates).

—   Arts works, Painting, drawing, portraits, etc.

—   Greeting Cards.

—   Farming. (Ask kind villagers or Local Government officials for 1 or 2 plots of land.

—   Poultry and Animal Husbandry, e.g., rabbits rearing.

—   Computer Typing (type for business center).

—   Work in Cyber café.

—   Train people in computer skills.

—   Photography, etc.

(d)             Ministry/Vision Development

—   Mission projects.

—   Outreaches.

—   Medical ministry (if you are medical practitioner, join established and recognized group).

—   Community Evangelism and Follow up.

—   Local Church involvement, e.g., interpreting for the Pastor, Sunday School teaching, Handling Church Youth, etc.

(e)              Marriage Preparation

—   Read good books on keeping a home. Prepare yourself for a future decision. Research into the Bible about marriage. If you are in relationship, keep in touch with your fiancé.

“A relationship without communication is dead.”

                                      — Anonymous.

(f)               Career Preparation

—   Develop your C.V. (Curriculum Vitae), learn how to write good application letters, how to sit for Aptitude test, facing a panel for interview, etc.

(g)              Social Work to the Community

—   Try and leave a mark in the community you are serving without monetary rewards. It is important, this is a small world.

·        You may not be able to do everything that I have discussed, but you must touch each category.

NOTE: If you have any question, you can call me.

_____________________________________________________________

Biola Bamidele    biola500@yahoo.com    (0803-395-0094.