Yes I’m 32 days late to send you this greeting but I really mean it. Personal development gurus and Neuro-scientists say that it takes at least 21 days to change a habit. That probably explains why it is a struggle to maintain New Year Resolutions and some of us give up before we reach day 21. I don’t set New Year’s Resolutions but Goals to help me achieve my Dreams as I continue to design the life I truly desire.

After achieving and tasting my desire for freedom to do whatever I want for the last decade, my goal for 2010 is to fulfill my vocation and create the tools to make that happen. Now that it’s February, it seems easier to get back into the swing of things after a 1 month break from my last contract at Ukash – a cash-based online payment system.

Where are you on your goals and achievements? If you feel you’re struggling, today is a good day to start afresh. Strive to work at your goal for at least 21 days and engage your emotions and your passions with it. When you face hurdles or obstacles seek inspiration and help outside of yourself to pep you up and re-spark your energy. Try playing your favourite music, talking with supportive friends and family or even help someone else with a challenge as even that time away from working on your goal can give you a fresh and new perspective.

I have yet to download my pictorial representation – vision board -  of my 2010 goals from my busy, hyperactive and creative mind to another media, but when I do, I’ll share it with you.

But for now, I’m off to make things happen for others and ultimately myself. Make your day great!

When I do blog, I feel like have have offloaded if I need to have a rant, or shared my thoughts with you if I have something on my mind. I hope you have enjoyed reading my posts as I have enjoyed converting thought energy into readable binary code. But that doesn’t really explain why I haven’t blogged for months.

Well it was because I was busy entering a new era in my life and at the same time adjusting my ‘flightplan’ for my goals. Namely:

• moving from ‘me’ to ‘we’
• re-defining my business and career goals
• establishing a better well-being programme
• starting a new contract with Ukash, an online payment company

And… everything has been going pretty well – I’ve lost 12lbs in 7 weeks, I’m focussed on my business .

Blog ideas come to me all the time, especially when I’m away from a computer, however I’ll try to share my inner thoughts with you more frequently than I have more recently.

However, I’m back now so watch out for my next few posts and some small changes that I’ll be making to this blog.

I’m researching a business opportunity and would like to know about your internet skills and your opinions on improving these skills (if you need to that is!)

It’ll only take 5 mins and I’d be really, really grateful for your contributions. So go on, leave your answers below.

THANK YOU!

Most recently, I’ve tried to adopt the position of letting my love flow unconditionally. I don’t need reciprocation, I don’t need motivation – I just love with kindness and generosity. I have to admit initially it was not very easy, but once I got used to it I remembered that was how I used to be as a child. Negative thoughts and energies just melted away. Always and optimist, but now I only focus on the positive aspects of individuals or situations whilst also holding a fully balanced viewpoint. And because I don’t have an agenda I’m rewarded multiple times over – everytime!

This Tuesday I had a breakthrough in my coaching session. When I fedback to my coach on the past month’s achievements, it slowly dawned on me what I have been trying to achieve in the last year or so, I managed to achieve in the last 4 weeks. And it was down to my mindset – me finding that place of love within myself for myself. My search for balance.

So now as my Circle or Wheel of Life now starts to look more like a circle and is therefore reflecting a more balanced life – before it was a horribly mis-shapen and broken – I’m looking at my passions in life. Naturally creative and open-minded, my friends will tell you I can come up with a business idea within minutes or work out how to monetize an idea very easily. And as as result I’ve created a very long backlog of ideas when the first one isn’t even out of the gate yet. In fact I just give ideas away because I don’t want the creativity clogged up in my business ideas folder on my Mac.

For the last year, I had willed myself to work on one idea at a time which became protracted and even though I care about these projects/business ideas (they’re my babies) I recently started to question whether they were aligned with my passions. But also what are my true passions? How do I distinguish what I’m good at, with what I’m interested in with what I’m passionate about?

So in the past month my health and fitness, spiritual life, relationships, finance, learning, family relationships aligned with my intention for my life – my life design. And I now realise that it’s because I am/was very clear about what I wanted. “I want to lose 2 inches off my waist and lose 14lbs”, or ‘”I will feed my body consciously with healthy foods without denying myself of the tastes and indulgences that I love”, or “I want to be in relationships with people who are divinely/spiritually inspired and are conscious with how they use their minds positively” or “I want my relationships with my immediate family to be so tight I can talk honestly and openly”. And those thoughts and intentions have manifested very quickly.

Interestingly enough, because of how I look at what I want in my life now, everything has gone 180 degrees whereby I effortlessly go to the gym which I now love, meditate every day, write in my gratitude journal daily, surrendered and allowed love into my life before the ’scheduled time’ (!), and eat consciously. Before adopting a state of being in constant gratitude I found these things quite hard to do.

And now the different faces of love currently surrounds and supports me, I’m now looking at what I want to be and what I want to do because now I realise, I’ve been living by my knowledge base and professional experiences as a Marketing Consultant, my current asset, but truly I believe the strongest assets I have are my passions.

I describe a passion as something that I will eat, sleep, consider it as play not work, will do 24/7 if I could for little or no pay. It’s not an obsession but something that helps me to grow as it will feed and nurture me in a positive way.

What led to this is that many friends have been very supportive by recommending me for opportunities as a marketing consultant. Instinctively, my feelings didn’t respond as positively to them as the 2 opportunities presented to me by friends last month which are aligned to one of my passions. And as I believe life is too short, we should strive to do what we love and live by our passions, I need to walk my talk. Also I started to feel bad for not feeling that grateful for my friends efforts – and I truly want to be.

This weekend, I’ll be digging deep, exploring and being honest with myself about what I want to be and do with passion. I’ve done the exercises before, however as I’m in a very different place spiritually my approach will be different and I intend to bring about deeper and stronger truths about myself.

This is exciting, because previously what I am has consumed my being for so long. Once I’m clear on what I am and what I do, I can then with communicate this to the Universe and also to friends who want to continue to support not just my career, but my passions. I have an ideas what I want my headstone and epitaph to say and it’s definitely not ‘Marketing Consultant’ because I am more than that!

He represents those black men who have broken through the typical stereotypes to achieve what was deemed nigh on impossible. He represents the love that a man can have for his wife, children, life and country. His seemingly genuine intent to do what he can to bring hope and change to a country ravaged by the greed of few people affecting America’s position on the world’s political and economic stage. The attitude of can do, will do to make things happen.

He is the individual who has taken on the hardest job in the world and has been upfront about the difficult road ahead, but will persevere for the love of his country men. If the three word phrase, “Yes we can” can change history for one man, imagine what a country can do when it shouts “Yes we can”.

There are many inauguration parties in London tomorrow to join hands with our US ‘cousins’ to celebrate the ushering in of a man who has inspired greatness in so many people – not just us black folk.

If you’ve managed to wangle the time off work and have yet to decide what to do, check out the following list and have fun!

20109 Change (featured on GMTV and BBC Radio London)
Live at the Indigo O2 will be Lemar, NDubz and London Community Gospel Choir. Plus live links from Washington DC.
Time: 4-10pm
Tickets from £18.50
For more information, www.20109change.com

Dare to Dream, Yes You Can
Bernie Grants Art Centre, Tottenham
Free workshops, stalls, performances and debates
Time: 12-8pm
Entry: free
For more information: www.berniegrantcentre.co.uk

The Barack Obama US Presidential Inauguration and UK Honours Gala Dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel, Park Lane
Live performances from artists, celebrities, media and sporting personalities plus TV highlights of the inauguration.
Time: 6pm -2pm
Entry £75
For more information: www.pinpointmedia.tv/obama

Fiesta Bar (formerly Z bar)
Acre Lane, Brixton with Happy Hour and comedy from Slim
Time: 4pm-12am
Entry from £5.
Advance tickets available. Call 07956 883737

ENJOY!

At the same time, I’m wondering if anyone has already fallen off the wagon (like I have) with their intentions to make certain changes in life. There is only one reason why I have not made a start with one particular intention and that’s because of the conversations I have with myself about it.

If you’ve been on the self-help circuit for a while, you may have heard of the series of books entitled Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. If you’ve read them, you may have come across some real eye-openers and ‘Aha!’ moments.

Have you thought about your Conversations with You? How would it read? What insights would you see about your mindset for living, success, love, relationships, wealth and happiness?

Are these phrases part of your conversations: “I’m surviving”, “I’m broke”, “I’m poorly”, “I live in hope”, “I’m struggling to find money/love/happiness”? Now look at your life, do your conversations mirror your reality?

Resolutions work when you use your mind to change your thoughts to change your mindset to change your actions. Our thoughts are our internal reality which manifest as our actions, our external reality.

So the 1 and only resolution you need to make and keep in 09 is to watch, and adjust if necessary, your conversations with yourself. If someone asks you how you are, say “I’m great!”. You may be broke, you may be ill, you may be stressed, but you have an income, you’re not totally incapacitated and you’re alive so yes, YOU ARE GREAT. And also it’s because you’re made in the Creator’s own image.

Take one statement, belief or intention at a time and change your internal conversation to reflect the external transformation you desire.

I want to get on the wagon to exercise, (and after stepping on the scale this morning I need to exercise!!!) but I know I have to change the tone of that particular conversation – and I will.

Having positive conversations with myself is the only resolution I have, the only one I need and it’s the easiest to work on because everything else just falls into place when I’ve got it tuned just right for me.

Only the highlights will feature as there were no low points – just incredibly useful lessons.

As 2008 started, I was full of hope, intention and energy to make my dreams come true. I didn’t make any New Year’s resolutions, I just aimed to work hard but something was truly missing from all the pledges and commitments.

Professionally
I extended my usual 3 months break from freelancing to make time to do other things. I did some consulting for a Nigerian TV station, a UK rapper as well as immersed myself in research and training in the music and social media marketing arenas.

For the 1st time in 7 years, I even took on a job/employment as it was a great opportunity with a great company. However, within a few weeks I realised that the opportunity taught me many lessons about sticking to my dreams, persisting with my goals, growth, leadership and relationships. I’m very grateful for those 13 weeks working with that company.

Since resigning, my heart and mind has been focussed on how I can serve others via my business and building wealth to help others.

Spiritual growth
I’ve always been a very spiritual person, and have always tried to feed my hunger for knowledge and experience around this area. Although I had heard about ‘The Secret’ since it was 1st released back in ‘06, it seemed like the UK had just caught the fever and everyone I spoke with in the Spring was talking about it.

After watching funny comedienne and actress, Mo’Niqe on BET’s Real Life Divas, I realised what was missing in my life – belief. She said, when people told her she was too black, too fat, a woman, too broke and had no talent to get to Hollywood she said to herself – Believe, believe, believe!!! It was as if she was talking to me.

I’ve always had the tools of creativity, determination, connections, drive and persistence, but since I started to believe, my life has been even more fantastic than before! I still haven’t read The Secret yet but I’ve always accepted the Law of Attraction in principle. Just about everything I’ve asked the Universe/Creator/Higher Power/God for I’ve received: opportunities, meeting positive, enterprising people, job offers, dates, unsolicited cheques, my bank accounts in the black, car spaces & even green traffic lights!

As a result, my professional life took a bit of a backseat as I started to explore my spiritual and personal life more. Having 8 months to focus primarily on this aspect of my life was truly a blessing. I am truly grateful for the opportunity.

Relationships

I’ve met so many positive, inspiring, enterprising people in the past year and formed what I hope are great friendships for the future. Even though some people think that you can’t form proper relationships online – it’s the place where I’m connecting with similar minded people – and the best is, if I dare say it, Facebook.

For 2009, I am so looking forward to manifesting my goals. I do believe I have the support now – I’m so excited. I won’t go into detail here however here’s my outline.

Professionally – focus on building the Chinelo Inc. ‘empire’. Support and advise other entrepreneurs especially start ups.

Spiritually – study regularly and inspire others to connect with their spiritual self

Wealth – become more self-reliant, attract and earn money to buy cashflow producing assets

Fitness – take more care of me in terms of nutrition, exercise and rest.

Relationships – continue to meet great people and nurture existing relationships.

Now I’m off to read my horoscope by the amazing Susan Miller – Astrologyzone.com. I’m not sure if I believe in it or not as I believe in the self-fulfilling prophecy principle. However for the last 3 years, she has been spot on in every aspect except for the seeking love part .But that’s okay I know why that is…

However, when I look at the key points in my life over the last year, it was no shorter or longer than usual (of course) but it’s a mere sense of our own reality how we exist and occupy within the domain of time.

Some of us will spend quite a bit of time looking back and counting our blessings and misses of 2008 and then fast forward to the next 364-365 days working out and clarifying our goals, dreams and achievements for the forthcoming year.

But what about today? What about this present moment? How are you living it? Are you letting it just pass you by and then struggle to recall it some weeks or months down the line?

Given that most people still have Obama fever, even our dear Opposition Leader David Cameron is copying the US President-Elect’s soundbites, CHANGE is in the air so I’m going to try living for the moment, and being in the moment.

I’m an Aquarian by birth sun sign and a text book one at that. By nature we look into the future as we are the futuristic, technophilic brains of the zodiac. I’ve never really lived in the past or the present although I have a lot of fond memories of my life in my 20s! My head is always in the future. I planned out my life since I was 5 with regular adjustments as necessary. Apart from still living in the UK, I’m not too far off the mark believe it or not. So it has it’s merits. But I know I’ve missed much by consistently living 2,5, 10 years from now when the current moment is the best moment of my life!

So right now, I’m enjoying the moments of feeling inspired to share my thoughts, feelings and intuitions with anyone who is reading this. The next few hours will come and if I’m blessed enough to be in that time, I will live in those moments at that time, not before.

After the celebrations of new beginnings, new changes, new resolutions and a new year end when we get back to the everyday routine of living, I would recommend you should try living for the moment.

I believe even if those moments bring about some pain instead of the joy you desire, it will drive you to do something about it, rather than put off making that change at some point in the future which sometimes never comes.

Happy New Year everybody!

Generally, I never wait ’til New Years ,Day 1st of the month or a Monday to start anything. Any change I want to effect in my life I start the minute or day that I make the commitment to change.

The events of this year will spark off so many new or re-confirmed dreams and goals. The global credit crunch has brought a change to many of our behaviours concerning consumerism and how we live. As a result, I would urge everyone to follow at least a few of these tips in your 2009 plans:

Watch your thoughts: Be careful of what you wish for. You will get it. The Universe doesn’t understand “Don’t give me X, Y and Z”, so you’ll get exactly what you asked not to receive. Be the master designer of your life. Be positive and think big – it’s all possible if you…

Believe: Apparently lack of belief has hindered many people from making the Law of Attraction work for them. It’s about developing a mindset to be open to receiving the blessings of the Universe. It won’t happen overnight but you’ll start to see things happen before your eyes.

Meditate/Pray/Study daily: Find quiet time to be with you and the Creator. Find your own way to have this conversation – what ever suits you is right for you. Find your gut instinct/intuition/quiet voice which will steer you through life to achieve your dreams. Read and watch material that inspires, energizes and teaches you how to live your life they way you truly want to.

Give and be grateful: What do you notice when you give without expecting in return? It’s amazing isn’t it? Have you paid attention to how many other blessings your receive when you give? Yes the Universe/Creator makes sure you’re always rewarded. Express gratitude everyday – in a journal, blog, video blog – whatever resonates with you. Your blessings will be increased many times over. Remember coincidences are the asked blessings that turn up unexpectedly! There is no such thing as coincidences.

and finally

Be more self-reliant: Over the last 30 years or more, we’ve been moving into a new age. Every 10 years (also called recessions) a major shift takes place and the outcome of the most recent events is we have to find ways to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. Jobs for life, occupational pensions, company sponsored health care (UK) have all but disappeared. Governments have less funding to look after us, especially after recent the multi trillion dollar bailouts. Find ways to use your talent and knowledge to create multiple income streams. Leverage your time to make sure that you can look after your loved ones at the level you desire and not the Government levels of poverty that we are currently seeing. Create and manage your own micro economy – learn about money and treat it well. It will bestow great treasures on you.

2009 will be whatever you make it. Take care of your business of your life and it will take care of you.

Happy New Year!