How to CLOSE out a Year

What’s really good people?

Am certain many of you out there are already looking forward to the opening of your Xmas presents. Hope nobody is DISAPPOINTED. My camp has several things popping off this week as well; my “Kool Keedz” have officially touched down here in the DMV (SO EXCITED). Two of my older brothers have B-days back to back during the holiday and yes; it almost time to start counting down the dropping of the ball in Times Square for another New Year’s celebration.

Ok people; let me get focused…

So I was sitting around the crib thinking about how am going to close out the year and all the things I have left to accomplish before January 1, 2012 arrives and what I am so much looking forward to in the New Year. Then reality sat in quick, what exactly did I accomplish this past year anyways? Without going into my personal business and appearing in need of a Dr. Phil moment, I will just say I think I did MORE than I DID NOT in the past 12 months.

Question is did you?

So here it is my last chance and opportunity to close out the year with a bang, a sense of purpose, fulfillment and momentum as I begin my road towards EXECUTION and DOMINANCE in 2012. So this is what I came up with that I believe will get me there and can possibly help you too if you still have UNFINISHED business to attend to as we countdown to 2012.

50 Mile Run…I figure with a week or so left until January 2012, I plan to run over 50 miles. This way I can easily reach my target weight of 1>> lbs that I had set for myself since 2004 and start to moisturize my sexy better.  

Less Profanity…I know for like the last ten years I have said I am going to do away with cursing for good. It is just those moments that I experience total rubbish and just want to choke the mess outta somebody that brings it out of me. One week of NO swearing is a great start.

Save Some Money…Your boy is officially a grown a** man with bills.  So the best way to begin saving is recognizing that I don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on a lame New Year’s Eve party.

Call Home…If you have ever lived far apart from your parents/family there is nothing that makes you feel SMALLER than being reminded you need to call home more often. Nobody I know enjoys those you don’t care about us anymore conversations when parents get upset.  

Say I Love You…Be like Nike and Just Do it. I hear it goes a long way.   

Gamble Less…Have an addiction problem? Call 1-800… I just don’t see myself giving up Fantasy Football.

Work When at Work…Now you know like only 3% of people that leave out of their homes everyday that report for work actually complete some office related task. Just look around you these coming days at your office after the holidays and just observe your colleagues and co-workers.

It is never too late...

Silence - The Enemy of Progress

What’s really good people?

Yup, it is finally hear… My Kool Keedz (SoSo & Ash) from the beautiful city of Montreal are all set to take over the DMV this holiday season. In the words of Bart Scott “CAN’T WAIT”.

This week officially marks the ONE YEAR Anniversary of the MY OMO NAIJA (www.myomonaija.blogspot.com) APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE. It is so fitting that this will also serve as blog number 55 aka…“Double Nickel” a classic like back in the day when “MJ” went back to the Mecca of basketball Madison Square Garden and roasted the New York Knicks on his come back campaign after playing baseball.

But before I get into this week’s post, I have to share something really funny with you all. A colleague of mine, a really cool older gentleman this week says to me prior to the start of one meeting, “Happy Kwanzaa”. “Say what again? Happy Kwanzaa”… Now many of you all that know me know how I typically respond to people when such occasions arise. I was dying with laughter at first so I proceeded to follow with “oh; I get it… Because am Afrikan that means I celebrate and participate in this Kwanzaa thing huh?” He proceeded to look at me like this young boy tripping and in a classic old skool way says “boy I ain’t fooling with ya crazy a**”.  LMAO!

Are you all ready for another wonderful run of DOPE and RE-FRESHING blogs? Well here it is people. Let’s Go!

Ok people; let me get focused…

I want to first of all acknowledge TIME Magazine for its bravery in thinking outside the box and decree in selecting the PROTESTER as its 2011 Person of the Year. How appropriate RIGHT? This year will forever go down at least by many from my generation as the catalyst and kickoff to when people of NO influence or LITTLE significance finally get off their bums and peacefully (for the most part) demand for a better tomorrow from their government and rulers.  For so long we had grown complacent and accepting of the same status quo amongst us from our leaders that it became almost taboo to spark up a healthy dialogue as to the benefits of rebelling or staging an upheaval meaningful enough to warrant the attention of the ruling elite.

When people from all walks of life; no matter race, creed or religion choose and accept to remain silent, we then become our own enemies of progress. And you don’t have to necessarily be standing in front of some military tank to gain valor or honor for your contributions to a cause. We encounter ignorance and intolerance from/by people daily but to walk away, or even worse to choose to not redirect an individual in their own predisposition makes that other individual gutless and cowardly.

This was and remains the sole intent of the creation of the MY OMO NAIJA blogspot. We want to continue to push the envelope and touch on matters that are meaningful in our everyday lives but still provide you with some humor as much as possible. The idea is to never be afraid to take chances on writing and presenting on subject matters familiar/unfamiliar to the audience. We will not operate in a box or vacuum in hopes of appeasing to what makes people comfortable or safe.

It is our hope that many of you regardless of differences see the commonalities you share with the brave men/women all over the world in countries like Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Yemen, Bahrain, Spain, Greece, Russia, Democratic Republic of Congo and United States unlike the spineless pathetic members of the community of state college Pennsylvania who deliberately remained silent and allowed for the lives of many young children to be ruined in the hands of a sexual predator all because of their reputation and millions of dollars were at stake.

As for where am from and the challenge ahead for those in my native land of Nigeria, it is my hope that we learn from the mistakes of others and work to harness our collective talents. I was told a very long time ago that nobody likes CHANGE but if the end result propels one to greatness then it is the finished product that people remember not how you got there.

Lift Your Voice…

We All Don’t Celebrate Xmas

What’s really good people?

Am so bummed right about now as this weekend marks the end of my National Football League (NFL) fantasy football season after my teams totally quit on themselves and I finished at the bottom of the cellar in my two leagues after winning both championships last season. Am going to need to blog less next season and do more team management as we approach the next NFL season. Anyways, I will be back and be better so in the meantime “Kiss Da Ring” Beeeeeeeeeaches.

Ok people; let me get focused…

Have you ever noticed during holiday season that many adults start acting like preschoolers in anticipation and build up to Xmas Day?  It is almost as if people all of a sudden only recognize or value the spirit of giving and being thankful for God’s blessings only around this time of year on the calendar. SMH! Without a doubt the true premise of Christmas makes it a great holiday. Nothing beats time spent with family, childish nostalgia and getting presents. But there are some of us who are not Christians and have to carry on with our lives with/without Santa Claus coming to town.

For me this year’s holiday season like many others in recent memory will be special in part because it is time spent with my wife, family and the “Kool Keedz”. And every year I actually have a treat on Xmas day and the day after as we celebrate the born dates of two of my siblings (Christmas & Boxing Day). So trust and believe it is always a party in my household. But for some folks this holiday season can be a drag; many stores and businesses close, the TV programming is pretty lame with all the parades and from the moment you open your doors there is that constant reminder of the jolly times families are having in their homes.

So here are some tips/ideas on how to beat the Holiday Blues:

I.                Get Organized – Get ahead of the game and others by making December 25^th on the calendar of every year your day to clean and put things back into order. They say it’s the little things that matter most, so a little cleaning, organizing, and filing will have you one step up on others.

II.              Productivity – Attend to those things that you procrastinated on and generate some momentum by gaining a sense of accomplishment at the end of your day. This will go a long way in your new attitude as you approach the New Year as well.

III.           Movies Anyone – Since the only thing typically open on Xmas day is the movie theater, make a day of it. I know I will be doing so with the Kool Keedz. The only catch is it becomes lame when nothing interesting is playing at the cinema.

IV.            Volunteer- If you are into volunteering and giving back to those less fortunate, there are always countless opportunities to serve and do great community work on Christmas Day.

In closing, there many instances that people who aren’t Christians who live in western countries such as United States and Europe often feel as if Christmas is forced onto them. I know I feel that way at times but hey; you deal with it and make the most of it. I just wish non-Christians didn’t have to request or gain special permission to celebrate OUR holidays. So no matter how you do look at it, try to celebrate a day knowing that even silly telemarketers and bill collectors too are giving the day off from harassing and stressing you about a payment they will possibly never collect.

Shalom…

Wishing All of December Were a Holiday

What’s really good People?

It is now officially WINTER here in the DMV and I am already looking forward to SPRING (NWO!). I love EVERYTHING winter except I guess the winter part. I get to throw on my Bill Cosby sweaters, wear all my winter coats & jackets, put on my butter Timberland boots, rock all of my skully & fitteds, etc… I mean what is there not to like? Well how many of you enjoy trying to get out of bed and leaving your nicely heated homes to enter the cold on your way to WORK in the mornings? Speaking of winter, let’s get into this week’s post.

Ok people; let me get focused… 

How many of you all have already seen people using their office time cyber shopping online? Seen a co-worker take a mysterious lunch break and not return until closing time? Better yet, how many of you all don’t ever see your colleagues in the office typically the Monday after Thanksgiving until the New Year? There is always one of these people we all know too well; I just hope it is not one of you all.

Studies and research have proven that people are typically most UNPRODUCTIVE during the holiday season due to a number of factors.  With all of the holiday food, partying with co-workers, impromptu small talk about gifts, there is just too many distractions for an employee to get his/her work done.  I was telling someone the other that that the entire month of December would BEST served if it were made a holiday month on the Calendar. I think it would do more good than one can imagine SERIOUSLY.  I mean the brain is forever working so why not give it a month long sabbatical or siesta from all the GRINDING we put it through. Just looking at all the food and alcohol consumed around the holidays indicates to me that people have longed checked out from their work responsibilities and are ready for a party.

And then you have these poor souls… A small percentage of folks filled with sadness, loneliness, and even depression around the holiday season.  Rather than celebrating with loved ones, these people are always gloom with common symptoms of headaches, inability to sleep or sleeping too much, easily agitated and lack the ability to concentrate. (Wait a minute; this sounds more and more like YOURS TRULY…)

So don’t you think a month long break to re-energize and gather one’s faculties would prove MORE beneficial rather than carrying on that same old cynicism and defeatist attitude into a new year? I came across some helpful tips for staying on top of things during the Holiday Season courtesy of http:www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/how-to-stay-productive-during-the-winter-holidays.html

·        Beat the Rush: To remain productive at work it’s important to make plans and schedule while you are home to do this in time without delaying until the last moment. In this way you will not be stressed before Xmas

·        Organize your work & Get Things Done: Once you get to the office, forget about Xmas and organize your work. Schedule your task and start working.

·        Deal with Important Tasks First: Morning is the most productive part of the day for most of us, so it’s better to get the most important tasks done in this part of the day. Doing this you might get some free minutes for daydreaming about the holidays in the afternoon (but don’t be too obvious).

·        Be Consistent in Your Work: If you start falling behind, don’t give up! Take a 5 minute break and start over with new energy and fresh ideas.

·        Think about the consequences: It’s not a nice approach but this might motivate you. Like everything else, we have to find a balance between work and Xmas preparations. Managers will not accept unfinished projects no matter how badly you need to go buy gifts for your family and friends.

Always Have a Plan…