Your future, your ability to make your dreams a reality depends on: how soon you can let go of what is holding you back, how you can stay focused on your long-term goals, how you can adjust to prevail in changing circumstances (without compromising your values/beliefs) and how quickly you turn setbacks into steppingstones for a new beginning.

On April 11 1997, I left a full time, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. job to be a professional speaker, trainer and author. I could no longer expect a paycheck every other week. No more employment related benefits-401K, Health and Life Insurances. No assurance of when or if I would be called to give a speech and by whom. English is not my native or even second language. My college education is not in any remote way related to what I was embarking on.

There were underlining factors that made the decision to leave a predictable paycheck to uncertain expectations even more disturbing. The needs of my family, one wife and four children, were increasing significantly. The financial and emotional support of aging parents could not be left to chance. Just two years before that day, we had built and moved to our first house in Eagle, Idaho, bought our first new family vehicle and committed to help a brother with his college tuition.


Now 10 years later I can say that, to say I am blessed, has had a deeper meaning. There are many lessons of business and life that one could not get from any institution of formal learning. You can read key points of my journey in the interview below. I would like, however, to take a moment at this point and highlight some astonishing revelations on what brings professional and personal fulfillment in any endeavor.
 

As you read this, you may be facing a decision that seems to be more marred by obstacles than illuminated by the opportunities of your dream. Maybe your limitations seem to outweigh your strengths. Or maybe your skills, resources and connections are way below what is logically needed for your vision to bear fruits. Take heart and get moving. Permit yourself to leave the comfort of a harbor that may soon be a dry land of regret for never trying, so that you can discover, learn and grow. Faith is following a path that may not be a path to anyone else but you. Faith is what will help you look up as opposed to sorrow that focuses on the past and worry that is concerned with the present.
 

We want to say a Special Thank You to our clients, sponsors and readers. Because of your continued support, trust and partnership, we have been able to give presentations to more than 800 groups (both private and public organizations) and over 350 schools. There would have been no 10th Anniversary for Kituku and Associates without you. Thank You!
 

About Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku

How can a person with no business background or marketing budget who speaks English as a third language promote and market his skills and products? That is exactly what Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku has done for 10 years. He developed creative and easy to repeat strategies that have kept his services and products in the presence of clients and prospects. This seminar has been presented through many business channels including the Boise Chamber of Commerce and the Oregon Meeting Planners Professionals.

As one of the less than 7% of Certified Speaking Professionals and sought after business speaker/trainers, Dr. Kituku works with organizations to increase their productivity through employees and leadership development projects. He has worked with Fortune 500 companies, workforce development agencies, university business departments, public and commercial banks, leadership development organizations, and university football teams that have won conference championship and bowl games. His expertise is sought after annually by many groups to establish creative training techniques for trainers and educators in businesses and youth development programs.

Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku was the 2003 Homecoming Grand Marshal for Boise State University and was the recipient of the 2000 Integrity Counts Award that is presented by the Better Business Bureau. Dr. Kituku was also the featured speaker at the 38th Idaho Leadership Prayer Breakfast (Boise) and Luncheon (Coeur d’Alene).
 

12 Must do Things Days (Weeks or Months)
Before the Presentation

6 Proven Fear Reducers on the Day
of the Presentation Delivery

3 Practices that Will Build Your Presence ONE Hour Before Your Presentation

Imagine you are in a foreign country with your spouse and four children. You have no business background. You know your next move will mean no paycheck every two weeks and no health insurance. Your inspiration is desire is to be a professional speaker and help people and organizations succeed in their endeavors. English is not your native language. You set out to pursue your dream. Ten years later, you take a moment to reflect on how life has been. People ask you, “How are you and how is business?” and the response is BLESSED! Welcome to the life of Dr. Vincent Muli Kituku, nationally recognized research based motivational speaker, who started his professional life as a Range Management Specialist.

On April 10, 2007 Dr. Kituku will be hosting a full day seminar on Overcoming Buffaloes at Work & in Life: How to Increase Productivity, Motivation and Growth Without Leaving Life Behind (See details at www.kituku.com) to mark his 10th business anniversary. We thought it is a fitting tribute to have him share how his life and business have been in those years.

Question:
Wow! Ten years doing something you love, what can you say about it?

Vincent: Henry David Thoreau is credited for saying, “If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with great success unexpected in common hours.” I have been blessed indeed. I am not aware of any other profession where every few weeks you can update your resume while receiving both tangible and intangible rewards. You learn from each client making your life so enriched that you can’t call what you do a job or career. God has blessed me indeed.

Question:
You cleaned your office and left corporate America on the 11th April, 1997. Were you scared and/or afraid of failing?

Answer: The wise have advised us not to fear failing. What we should be afraid of is doing nothing. Since 1974, after failing miserably in my first 17 years of life where I spent six years in three grades, I have never done anything expecting to fail. Maybe this has been so because I subscribe to the belief that my end results depends on actions that are products of my thoughts. It’s a wonderfully amazing and yet humbling experience—to see results before you do anything or envision the life you could live before you actually do anything to make that life happen.

Question:
You have been described as the master of research based motivational keynotes and training programs. When did you start doing research on the groups that hire you and what have been the results?

Vincent: I started in 1997. In life, learning about the other person’s story (or the story of an organization), their challenges and expectations, is one of the most underutilized tool by many product and service providers. When you know their challenges and expectations, you can provide solutions. My goal is to gather information that will help in developing a presentation my audience can relate with. In 1998, I was invited to speak at the Idaho State Mental Health Conference. I interviewed consumers and their families, advocates, and service providers. After my presentation, about a dozen people came to ask me where I had a mental health clinic. In five years, I had presented at more than 20 mental health conferences including the National Conference.

Question:
What do you consider your secret for giving successful presentations?

Vincent: Think of what Chris Petersen, Head Coach, Boise State Football Team wrote after my presentation to the team last year… “Dear Dr. Kituku… The lessons that you spoke of are priceless when it comes to building a championship team. As veterans in this business we know that championships are not won by athletic ability and schemes alone, having the correct state of mind is what separates individuals from the crowd; we feel you have helped us with that edge…” One must know the gap he/she has to fill for listeners to be equipped with the spears they need to thrive in their jungle, stay motivated beyond the speech/workshop and focus on the larger picture of life that make individuals own whatever they do.

Question:
You grew up in Kenya, Africa and didn’t learn about American football until you came to the USA. Yet, you have given presentations to the Boise State Broncos Football Team since 1998. In 2003, you were their Homecoming Grand Marshal and even gave a presentation two days before the team flew to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl Championship. How did the team get to know you and invite you to speak?

Vincent: That has been an astonishing experience. In 1995, I invited Pokey Allan, the team’s coach back then, who was battling cancer to come speak at my Toastmaster’s Club (my mother is a cancer survivor). Pokey’s words coupled with what I gathered by reading the local newspaper gave me an insight into the life of players. Pokey died and the team had three coaches within a short period of time. Inspired by what is hard to fathom, I wrote an article and faxed to the head coach (I didn’t know his name) on how to win as a team. A week later, I faxed another piece on how to use underutilized potential. He invited me to speak to the team and I did so on a regular basis. When the team won the conference championship in 1999, Dirk Koetter, gave me a ball, Bronco t-shirt, jacket and pants—a coach’s uniform for a sport I had no clue of it’s rules. The experience has brought me intangible rewards that are hard to describe.

Question:
You have been involved with Women and Children Alliance, Rescue Mission for the homeless, sponsored youth activities, given presentation to Alternative Schools at no charge. What inspires you do that?

Vincent: A key discovery in life is how we are all part of each other. A woman living with a feeling of security and hope for a better tomorrow is a foundation for our very existence. When you mold the life of a youth to be self-reliant, you don’t have to try repairing an adult. I think for someone to do God’s will, after accepting Him at a personal level, is to serve neighbors who need us the most.

Question:
If you were to advice someone on how to experience the richness of life, what would you tell them?

Vincent: Accept a simple fact—you are the CEO of your attitude, dreams and all you do. Forget job descriptions and never narrow your identity or let your race, gender, religion or what other people think of you diminish what you can achieve. Make conscious efforts to develop yourself daily in three aspects—spiritually, mentally and physically. You will need to associate with people who lift you up to the next level of growth. Learn the basic law of abundant life that, “What we do for ourselves can get us by. What we do for others is what gets us ahead; whether in our profession, spiritual pursuits or relationships.”

Question:
You have four children who are involved with school, church and athletic activities. What can you say to parents who raising children in this insecure world of conflicting values and morals.

Vincent: A lesson my mother taught me is, “what we leave in our children is more important than what we leave for them.” Stop raising angels, they are children with human characteristics—the ability to do what is right and sometimes what’s wrong. You succeed by being involved with their growth in faith, school and other activities. Be their parent who tells them what they need to hear—not necessarily what they want to hear. Know their dreams and provide an environment and encouragement for them to pursue those dreams. Make efforts to know their friend’s lifestyle and if they are not in line with the values you teach empower yourself to discourage the association.

Question:
You advocate balancing spiritual, physical and mental growth. How you find time to all that?

Vincent: The balancing act starts from the moment you realize that you can always find time to do whatever you consider important. I love gardening and in recent years, I have developed the habit of running long distances (dealing with my mid-age crisis). I can meditate, sing and/or reflect on presentations I am working or articles am about to write.

Question:
What key things can someone do to succeed in their business?

Vincent: You must do it for something more valuable than money. Know your angels along the path—people who may not bring you monetary returns but they believe in your endeavors and they talk to others about you. Your ability to use time and resources wisely, be flexibly creative and make peak performance a habit will elevate you to new heights.

Read Dr. Kituku’s newest articles online at: www.kituku.com, Idahopress.com, Casper Star Tribune Idahostatesman.com, Argus Observer, Business IQ, Post Register, Idaho Catholic Register, Idaho Press Tribune, Idaho Senior Citizen News, and Presentations Magazine.

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