I’m Black First

I am Black First
That’s what you see
That’s how you judge

What do you see in my dirty jeans? What about these nails? Does the dirt turn you off or do you see the strength of mother earth going with me everywhere?

Describe the ideal husband… What is the shade caramel or chocolate?
I am smart. I am funny. I speak four languages, and can say hello in 13.
“Hola!”
I know business. I play wind instruments. The harmonica is jazzy.
Walking across the street to make a deposit at the bank. What do you see at the intersection? Why do I smell fear on you and see you clutch your purse? I’m so happy.

God has met a need. He gave my pockets a “pot-belly”. Can we make them slightly overweight like most Americans?

If I shed a few pounds would you forget my mahogany and wish it ivory?

Beauty shares no stage. Look outside and feel inside it is okay.
I’ll be PRESIDENTIAL or maybe MVPish. I’m Still Black First.

If you are so scared or I’m so equal, let’s view equal. Have you been to a factory? What do you see?  SEE no evil – Speak no evil.

What about Football?
Run boy Run          We the Best            But don’t stop running
Still be proud when WE win

I am Black First. Mix it with anything and I am still Black First.

Dream the Impossible

It always seems impossible until it’s done. Nelson Mandela

On April 26, 1994, more than 22 million South Africans turned out to cast ballots in the country’s first multiracial parliamentary elections in history. An overwhelming majority chose the ANC to lead the country, and on May 10 Mandela was sworn in as the first black president of South Africa, with de Klerk serving as his first deputy.
The possibility of a Black president in South Africa had to seem silly but once it was done it now seems common. When Nelson Mandela was fighting for a free South Africa he had to imagine this society free and believe in the people and the process. Part of this particular process resulted in in lengthy jail time. Of all the dreams I have none of them involve jail time. When we first started our business we had a dream of financial independence. This seemed impossible because In had no real knowledge on the subject of business. Twenty years later it seems impossible to envision another lifestyle.

Dream big, think the impossible and then go do it.

Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible

Our Father helps living Man create possibilities here on earth. Do not wait until you get to heaven to receive your glory work on it now. Expect great results and that is what you will have. Do not look at the size or difficulty of the task but look at the possibilities of the dream. Nelson Mandela came from a small village and influenced the world by focusing on what was possible. You will change your situation by acting in the same matter.

How to do a lot of things at one time

info@mikolji.comWrite it all down
Write all of your project and to-do things down on paper. I say this over and over and over again. Electronic notation in your phone or on your pad is fine also but set frequent reminders. Even set a reminder to review your list. Write down small things in a consistent visible place and you will have a better chance of completing them. If your list are large it is okay because at least you will not forget anything. Write down the major and the insignificant because the insignificant will cloud your brain at the most inopportune time. Remember to keep a consistent place for you list: sticky notes and little pieces of paper get lost. Finally, date all of your list.
Attack the hard stuff first
This is difficult to me because I like volume. I always try to do a lot of projects at the same time. So sometimes I will do the little things to prepare for the big thing. And what always happens is the big thing gets pushed to the next day. Do not procrastinate, Procrastination leads to bad karma. Sometimes the hard stuff needs a list of its own. This is quite aright and possibly preferable because another list will cause you to do it right. The premise of this step is to attack the hard stuff, do not wade in gently: you may get cold feet.
Let nothing wait
Are you ready to dominate, than stop waiting? Sure patience is a virtue but writing an action list requires action. Keep moving forward. Do not be proud of your to-do list, be proud of the action it inspired. Phone calls are the easiest, just take the first hour of the day and call everyone including the people that you know will not answer early. This will promote proactive action and most people will feel obligated to talk with you the second time around. Patience takes action and waiting takes time. Don’t waste time.

How to choose a Super Bowl quarterback: Leader

super bowlThe NFL had a great introduction segment to Super Bowl XLVIII. Written on a chalk board was the saying I WILL and each player had an opportunity to write in the blank a statement for the ages. At the end of this brief segment they gave us the voices of both quarterbacks. After I heard both leaders I promptly asked my children, who were not watching at this point, a question. Which quarterback would you rather have leading your team, the one who said, “I WILL, Compete my butt off”, or the one who said, “I WILL, Play the best 60 minutes of football in my life.” Both of them said individually and independently that they would prefer the leader that made the second comment.
Before I revealed the answer I asked them why they made this choice. The answers were profound. They said the “Compete my butt off” answer meant that this leader would rise to the level of his opponent. Whatever effort the other team put out, is what he would give back. The second leader that said, “I WILL, Play the best 60 minutes of football in my life.” Meant that this leader would give everything he had and more. They said he would determine his own fate with his actions and effort.
These answers were so profound because Denver Broncos Quarterback Peyton Manning said the first statement and that is exactly the effort we saw. The future Hall of Fame leader competed and let the other team determine his fate. Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Russell Wilson on the other hand gave the performance of his lifetime. Making passes that seamed far above his 2nd year skill level. His decisions in this game were masterful, knowing when to run, when to move and when to be patient in the pocket. His leadership effected the whole team and every Seattle Seahawk seemed to play the Best 60 minutes of football in life.
We respect the efforts and accomplishment of those who compete their butts off. When you have one chance to lead your team to big dreams think like Super Bowl Champion Russell Wilson. Before your next big test or meeting say:

I WILL, Play the best 60 minutes of _(insert your vocation vision)___ in my life.