By Tyough Beetseh

As the last days of 2008 approached, I saw the hallmark of activities everywhere. End of year Celebrations, companies putting their financial records together and travelers hustling to get themselves to their respective home towns. All these activities where not new as they are regular occurrences at this time and season.

But as we approached the last minutes of 2008, I began to ponder on the concept of a calendar year considering the fact that what is called a new year is just another day with a sun rise and a sun set. Was it’s inception probably another method of systematically archiving time? Or was it strategic approach geared towards uniformly aligning historic events to fit into what will be eventually called antiquity.

I wonder why so much significance is placed on the emergence of a new year and very little attention is given to the emergence of a new month, a new week or perhaps a new day.

I see a lot of people running to churches to perform a recent day ritual called “The crossover night” but a considerable number still with their hearts, mentalities and paradigms still disposed to the failed principles of the previous year. But of what good is it performing the “nightwatch” which has slowly become a doctrine to some people and then gradually reverting back to usual cyclic routines without any plan or goal.

Maybe because Nigerians are extremely, spiritually inclined people, there is an inert belief that whenever we “cross over” in that ceremonious manner such as lightening of candles, singing hymns and some others feigning a “one night” pious personality, we are guaranteed a secured 2009. Well acctually it does to some extent, infact i conform to the modern day Exodus “crossover nights” because they position you for a remarkable year ahead. And to some extent irrespective of your personality you accrue a considerable amount of security because God is no respecter of persons, However, What I want to emphasize is the essence of sustainability. In order to keep your light shinning, you need to keep refueling your tank. The only difference between the last 365 days and the new 365 days ahead is that we have spent one and can’t get them back, but if we do the same things we have always done in the past, our future is predictable.

It is in the paranoia of this thought pattern that I have listed below five things that should help you crossover and make a difference in the next 365 days.

1. Set Precise Goals

What is a football match without a goal post? You need to sit down and carefully define your goals, make sure they are realistic and pencil down specific details. How do you expect to measure your progress if you never defined it? It might be difficult putting something robust together but start from somewhere. Don’t forget the saying that “He who fails to prepare, prepares to fail” It is not enough for you to look for a church or go to your regular church to attend the crossover; you have to live the crossover.

2. Be Focused

It is not the last strike of the axe that cut the tree; it is the combination of concentrated strikes on a consistent axis. We need to keep our eyes on one thing per time. Don’t try to do everything. Sometimes you might have many ideas coming to your mind, just pencil it down. It is for an appointed time. Wait for that time but for now; focus on what you are doing.

3. Change your approach (style)

It is only a mad man that does the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. If an approach to certain issues around you have not been working, change your approach in 2009. If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change.

4. Change your attitude:

Your attitude determines your altitude, therefore in 2009 if you have to go higher you need change your attitude. A good attitude might not guarantee success all the time however, a bad attitude will definitely result in failure. The good thing about attitude is that you can navigate it to whatever direction you choose. Always look at every situation from all points of view no matter how bad they look, you will realize that it is not that bad. Trust me! There is always a way out.

5. Don’t Procrastinate

The best time to do it is NOW! If something has to be done, then now is the best time. If you shift it further, you have sold time for cheap. Is it a business proposal, professional qualification or Job Application? Remember that you can’t buy time. You have a fixed time span here on earth, therefore every second counts.

Finally, It is my desire that we all make remarkable progress in this New Year and that is why I decided to share a little bit of facts I have discovered over the years.

We live in a world filled with laws, International Law, Sharia Law, Civil Law e.t.c there are also physical and spiritual laws. It is pertinent that we discover these laws and use them as a guideline to ensure we are always moving ahead.

I therefore urge you all to let the world see the light that you carry, stop hiding your potential, it is meant to impact people and affect others. Do what you love doing and do it with passion.

Happy New Year

Tyough Beetseh

I am the one who makes mistakes and mistakes also make me.

I am The SI Unit of change especially change you can rely on .

I am the one with the lens,telescope and the microscope with an inquisitive attitude, always

searching for the truth.

I am the one who is not always conforming to conventional beliefs such as parables and norms.

I am the one who has failed many times but has refused to accept failures hand of fellowship.

I am the one who has been dropped, crumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions i have made and the circumstances that have come

my way but has never lost my value and sense of identity.

Some think I am Slow, Others think I am fast. I think i am both. It all depends on what am dealing with.

At certain times in my life i have bent the rules, not too sure if that was the right thing to do, but one thing i sure never did was to let the rules bend me.

I am mankind re-defined, with a perculiar sense of humour. I crack with jokes, but i dont joke with crack.

I keep my shoulders high, but lay low when i have to. Afterall even the atmosphere has seasons.

I get overwhelmed sometimes, and then i play soft music to switch on my regulator.

I am quite difficult to understand, because right under my chest, i make decisions most people cannot stand.

I love variety, a trait common to almost everybody but i have not always had the opportunity to relish atleast a slice of this fantasy but most importantly i keep records in my diary

What will eventually turn out to be my autobiography.

This is Who I am.

Now who are you?

Why do you use your friend as a yardstick for measuring your progress in life? It’s because you are on the right track but you are using your friends map. Face your front Charlie!!, you are on a unique track and stop looking back, it’s not a race.

Is it humble to say you are humble? Maybe it is. Maybe it isn’t. But tell me isn’t it humble to say you are proud? If it is, then don’t you think it is pride when you say you are humble? Who knows….

Are u really free when you have freedom? If you are, then what is that conscience doing inside of you? Well, maybe it simply means freedom also has boundaries.

Why is it that the harder we try to please others, the more we end up displeasing ourselves? And the harder we try to please ourselves, the more we end up displeasing others. But what happens to us and others when we try to please GOD?

Is a picture worth more than a thousand words? Then draw pictures of your future and don’t take your eyes off it.

It said that such an appointment smacked of ill-advice and disdain for the mass media.

In a press statement signed by the National Secretary of the union, Mr. Shu’aibu Usman Leman, in Abuja, the NUJ said that Akunyili’s appointment to the information portfolio was not right.

It said that with Akunyili’s zeal, honesty and commitment to work, she would have been more suitable for the Ministry of Health.

“The NUJ national secretariat, frowns at the recent appointment of Prof. Dora Akunyili as Minister for Information and Communication by President Umaru Yar’Adua.

“The appointment is ill-advised and smacks of the usual disdain with which politicians perceive the media.