Personal development and goal setting; Dr Deji Osaz (the lifestyle Doctor) speaks

I was privileged to be in a forum last year December, where Dr Osaz (the lifestyle Doctor) was the guest facilitator of the day. I went through the message and I felt I should share it here. Credit to Team LTA series (Let's talk about series) for making this forum possible.

Let's read his words:

Whatever you see on a computer screen (the hardware) is a function of the software inside the system. So, it's insanity to try to change what's on a computer screen that you dislike without first changing the software responsible. Do you agree with this analogy?

Similarly, it's insanity to fail to focus your energy on your software, your mind, when it comes to changing whatever in your life you seem not to be content with or you dislike.

Can I go a gear up by asking two controversial questions:
1. Is God in charge of the earth? Meaning is God in charge of what happens to us on earth?
2. Does prayer answer all things?

I threw these questions across, because of our environment-religious minds (not spiritual minds) everywhere with no result to show.

Regarding the first question, when your landlord that built the house you live in rents the house out for one year to you, does he have the right to enter the same house anyhow, say your bedroom by 12 midnight with a spare key, for example?

(No, the landlord doesn't have such right)

Meaning, he owns the house but he isn't in charge for the year of contract.

For the second question: If prayer answers to all things, prayer warriors will be the richest on earth, right? Nigeria will be a developed nation by now as we are regarded as d most religious/praying country on earth.

If God is in charge of the earth, devout christians/muslims on their way to church/mosque to worship God will not have accidents. Mind you, most accidents are man-made.
If prayer answers all things, when next you want to eat yam, just put the raw yam in your plate and pray heavily.

I do a lot of coaching and therapy sessions for health, business, relationships, career, finance, etc. And I see a common trend in many Nigerians lives. Many turn their responsibilities to God when they can't explain a challenge they are facing or know the way out or when they feel they are not in control, instead of taking responsibility.

So, the question is: what are we responsible for; what is God responsible for?

You and I are responsible for our response to life. How your life will turn out in ten years time will be largely determined by your response to life's demands and pressures today.

God is responsible for life's response to us (which can be pleasant or 'painful') but we are responsible for our response to life (both desired and undesired).

As a student, how are you responding to the demands and pressures of your academics, your peers influence, your financial needs, business or voluntary service opportunities coming to you, your social relationship and networks, your fellowship with God, your attention and energy (time) management, your health and lifestyle needs etc.

And the truth is, you are not stuck in life because of what you can't control (regardless of your challenges), you are stuck because of what you can control but don't know why and how.

You must know that you can't totally control what life throws at you, but you can control why and how you respond. Focus on what you can control. Set goals on what you can control.

When you take care of what you can control, what you can't control is taken care of in a matter of time. Even God moves into action on your behalf because His principles rule this earth. His principles are superior to His name when it comes to this earth.

You can't be hoping in God that you'll get a good job when you have not acquired marketable skills, not B.Sc/B.A
                                                                        
You can't go farther than your mind can take you!

These are personal development plans (PDP) you can put in place to help you:

1. Building Spiritual Capacity (Moving from Just Relationship to Quality Fellowship with Your God)

2. Inspirational And Motivational Books to Read (weekly, monthly or quarterly)

3. Professional And Career Development Seminars, Conferences or Workshops to attend. (either Paid or Free)

4. Mentors and Coaches you must connect with, that will add great value to your life and work.

5. Relevant/Additional Skills to Develop or Sharpen to enhance your ability to SERVE people and EARN more.

6. Events, Places, Cities And Nations To Visit for personal relaxation, recreation and education.

7. Networks or Associations to join, that will serve as leverages for opportunities and connections (online or offline)

8. What Platforms/Products/Services will you create to multiply IMPACT and increase INCOME.

9. Negative Relationships or Friendships to cut off (that drains personal energy)

10. Wise and Intelligent Investments to undertake.

11. Negative Habits, Attitudes and Behaviours to confront and conquer.

12. Positive Habits, Attitudes and Behaviours to cultivate.

Let Your *Plans* Begin Now! For you to achieve a goal, it must be Specific (clearly stated), Measurable (you can break it down to monthly and weekly goals), Achievable (must be within your control, not what you are expecting one uncle/aunt to do for you), Relevant (must be value-adding to you but also to something bigger than you like your family, God, etc), and Time-bound (must specify when you must have achieved it and write it down as if it's happened. In other words, If you haven't seen yourself achieving it mentally, you may never achieve it physically.

Also, note that your subconscious mind does not understand 'I do not want to fail...' i.e. 2 negatives. It deletes one and turns it to 'I do want failure'. This directs your behaviour towards it. Instead, use statements like 'I am a success'.

When you pray or set goals, don't use words like 'God, I don't want a bad husband'. Your subconscious (the seat of God in you- the seat of your resources) will delete the first negative (not) and program you for 'I do want a bad husband'.
Rather, set goals like 'I am getting a good husband', 'I am reading for A in this course' not 'I don't want D or E or F in this course'.

Also, delete excuses from your dictionary. Excuses shut down your mind's ability to set and smash your goals. Lastly, know that God is not raising irresponsible children. You can't be praying or hoping that God will do for you what He's already given to you to take possession of.

Deuteronomy 1:8 talks about God telling the Israelites He's given them the land but yet, they've got to GO IN to take possession. I wonder what God has given you and I that we are still asking Him for because we can't get our minds to see them and take responsibility for possessing them.

Remember, 'do not trust in God alone' (like the way many people understand it), You have to put in the needed work, God will bless you and give you (us) the grace to stay focused and achieve our goals. Amen!

Hope this inspired you this morning? Do have a great day and a splendid week!