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	Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku Overcoming Buffaloes in Our Lives WWW.KITUKU.COM 1-888 685-1621 or (208) 376-8724 ========================================================================== Informative and captivating FREE electronic newsletter that brings you timely information designed to equip you with powerful tools to achieve new heights in your professional and personal life. Issue Number: Volume 1 No. 9 Publisher: Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku Date of Issue: October 3 2002 © 2002 Overcoming Buffaloes in Our Lives. All Rights Reserved. WWW.KITUKU.COM ============================================================================= Privacy Statement: Kituku & Associates will not distribute your address to anyone in anyway. Period. To unsubscribe (and Dr. Kituku is sorry to see you go) just type remove on the subject line. SPECIAL NOTE: If you had requested to not receive this newsletter and your e-mail has not been removed, please be patient. Our system has had strange behavior. =========================================================================== What others are saying about Dr. Kituku works: “Dear Sir, Your newspaper column is a true inspiration. I cannot tell you the times that I have cut it out of the paper to share with my family during our dinner hour or to pass on to a friend. I was born in Oregon but have lived in Michigan for the past 9 years. My mother sends me the local paper from Ontario thus I am a regular reader of your inspiring words…Today’s column about your mother is one that I will mail to a friend in England…Your written words will point to the path that will bring her peace. Again thank you and God bless your endeavors. I just visited your web sight for the first time WOW now I have more to enjoy. Looks like I should hunt down your book. Maybe there is a place we could find for you to do some speaking in this area. I'll check into it...............blessings to you.” Beverly Ogburn “Dear Professor Vincent, I read your article in the Top 7 Business 21-09-99, and find it very true in todays world. I live in South Africa and we see this happening every day with people being retrenched with little or no money to keep them going. We all pray that there will be light at the end of the tunnel soon. Thank you for an excellent article.” Regards Andrew Blane ============================================================================= For your upcoming Business or Association Conference, work with Dr. Kituku. You are guaranteed a memorable customized keynote speech and/or breakout training programs. CALL TODAY and book Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku. You will not regret it! Call Vincent at (208) 376-8724, or visit Kituku & Associates website at www.KITUKU.com IN THIS ISSUE 1. Dr. Kituku Commentary: Persistence 2. At Last! How to Thrive in Chaotic Times: Dr. Kituku’s Top 13 Lessons for Success 3. Top 7 Tips on How to Balance Work and Life 4. Top 13 Strategies to Build Your Business with Unlimited Referrals 5. Featured Turning Point Experience Piece: The High Cost of Perfection =========================================================================== Persistence Our son’s name is Kithetheesyo Uathimo, meaning Persistent Blessings. To the best of my knowledge, he is the only person with this combination. He is our fourth child, the only boy, and was born during my middle age. After pondering for years, I concluded that persistence is the quality in life that separates achievers from the rest. It is the one factor in life that makes a person prosper in spiritual, temporal and physical ways. It separates those who endure spiritual battles from those who succumb to them. Persistence in one’s vision brings the anticipated blessings. My son’s name gives me reassurance in my own life. I heartily believe that even when nothing seems to come out of a project, persistence pays off. Abraham Lincoln is an example. He is among the great leaders who had major impact in changing the beliefs and practices of his time. A closer look at his career portrays somebody who would have been relatively unknown were it not for his spirit of persistence. Recently, I read the following from an Economic Press Publication about Lincoln: failed in business at age 22, ran for the legislature and was defeated at 23, failed again in business at 24, won a seat in the legislature at 25, his sweetheart died when Abraham was 26, suffered from a nervous breakdown at 27, defeated for speaker at 29, defeated for elector at 31, defeated for Congress at 34, elected to Congress at 37, defeated for Congress at 39, defeated for Senate at 46, defeated for Vice President at 47, defeated for Senate at 49, elected President of United States of America at 51. His persistence, courage and perseverance brought blessings to himself and others. His personal and political life shows that the odds were against him. Yet, he persisted and won his place in the pages of history and in the hearts of his countrymen down to this day and far beyond. You must come to grips with the realities of life if you are to receive the blessings that come from persistence. In life, there are challenges that must be met. Sorrows abound and must be overcome. Tragedies must be faced courageously. Struggles must be fought tenaciously. Life offers enormous blessings for those who persist. Blessings start with accepting life as a gift. In life, opportunities present themselves daily… take them. When you view life as a mission field, you are bound to fulfill it. Persistent people get their ultimate rewards because they don’t adopt common alibis such as age, gender or material possession. Other commitments, present skills and abilities never prevent them from getting their goal started and accomplished. What is stopping you from getting your blessings? Is your vision in line with your values? Is it a vision that can benefit you and others? What do you have now that you can use to begin the process of achieving your vision? What will you lose should you choose to quit pursuing your vision? ============================================================================== At Last! How to Thrive in Chaotic Times: Dr. Kituku’s Top 13 Lessons for Success A small group of people seem to get what they want when they need it. These ordinary people have figured out what’s their purpose in this world and determined to stay focused in spite of the many distractions. The results of whatever these people do are extra ordinary! Now after almost a decade of research and reflections, Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku has done what perhaps no one else has done before—interweave his rich African heritage and experience in corporate America into top 13 lessons for professional and personal success. These three CDs are filled with top content and strategies for what you need to get ahead and live up to your greatness. Raves for this timely, life changing work by Dr. Kituku: “Vincent, Wow! Your recording is great! There is so much information in your lessons that one would definitely want to stop to write things down…I most certainly think that this recording contains sooooo many great action ideas in viewing life and success from such a greater perspective that to truly capture all of the amazing lessons and points of the recording, one must write it down and think how it impacts their life and their perspective on success…Your recordings could not have come into my life at a better time. I often doubt myself and what success is. I often feel that I have not done enough with what the Lord has given me. Your words are a true inspiration for my soul. Thank you!” Sonja Kidney Disc 1 Lesson One—The Truth About Personal Success. What is true success? Dr. Vincent Kituku builds a solid foundation about professional and personal success; Listen to his early struggles with poverty, illness after illness, schooling and the loss of siblings and how his father’s wisdom changed the tides of times forever. Lesson Two—Definite Purpose in Life. Get ready for powerful knowledge on a critical aspect of life—having definite purpose that gives you the momentum to wake up with positive expectations. Learn 8 must know and do things to build strong self-confidence. Lesson Three—The power of positive attitude. Dr. Kituku highlights the one thread of life that you have total control of and that can change how you see your world and the great opportunities life offers. Lesson Four—Basics of Life. Learn the 6 crucial aspects of life that you are CEO of, the 6 important social entities and how what you do relates with each. Prepare for a new beginning in your knowledge in what others can do for you and what no one can do for you. Lesson Five—Taking Charge of Your Personal Life. It’s common knowledge—imbalance in life has high cost in individual lives, families, businesses and community. Listen to Dr. Kituku as he highlights: the high cost of life imbalance; The top 3 types of relationships with lasting rewards; and 5 points to ponder on how to move forward without leaving your family behind. Lesson Six—Essential Elements for Achieving Professional and Personal Purpose. This lesson is filled with concrete steps for you to use and achieve your purpose. Learn: The power of personal identity; The ONE word to avoid; Harmful desire to steer away from, The only emotion to guard against, Top three sources of failure, The 7 most powerful motives to cultivate and cherish Disc 2 Lesson Seven—Top 12 Secrets that Move People Ahead. Ever wondered what makes people with the same educational background, probably doing the same job achieve different levels of success? In this lesson Dr. Kituku will take you through the12 top secrets that move people ahead in whatever field of their calling. Lesson Eight—What 21st Century Leaders, Business Owners and Employees Must Know. Our world has become a jungle where it doesn’t matter whether you are a carnivore or a prey. You must run to survive. Learn: 10 practices that will position you for success; Recognize what sets you apart in your industry; 8 top secrets of surviving and thriving in your jungle; 10 steps on how to ask what you want when you need it; Best ways to negotiate deals prospects can’t turn down; How to inspire, motivate and position yourself; 13 things leaders/managers do to de-motivate people; 9 tips on how to inspire and motivate others for superb performance and; 9 tools for thriving in unpredictable times. Disc 3 Lesson Nine—Turning Adversities into Opportunities for New Beginning and Growth. Bad things happen to each and every one at one time or another. Dr. Kituku’s path in life, as you learned in lesson one has been filled with failure, poverty, illness after illness and sadly the loss of siblings. In this lesson, Dr. Kituku shares 12 steps for turning adversities into steppingstones for new beginning and growth; Living with “social buffaloes” and; the 7 attributes you need to overcome “buffaloes” in your life. Lesson Ten—Life Beyond Real and/or Perceived Obstacles. What would you do if, before your proposal to marry is accepted, you had to search and kill a lion? Find out what inspired the Maasai men to search and overcome lions before marriage; Top 7 tips on how to see beyond your obstacles. Lesson Eleven—Putting Faith into Action. Having faith in your great ideas and your potential is one thing. Putting that faith into action is another. Dr. Kituku provides an extra ordinary illustration on the power of faith put into action in what he calls “African Impala Syndrome.” He provides 9 proven strategies on how to avoid suffering from “African Impala Syndrome.”. Lesson Twelve—The Principle of Planting in “Dry Season.” What is planting in dry season for professional and personal success? Do you know the high cost of not planting in your “dry season?” Learn the 8 most important questions to ask yourself if you are to grow in all aspects of life. Lesson Thirteen—Pushing Your Internal Air-conditioner. What is stopping you from living the life of your dream? Do you know you may have a talent or an experience that could propel you from mediocre performance to life rich with fulfillment? Listen to another one of Dr. Kituku’s signature story that has won international awards “the Unused Air-Conditioner”; 7 reasons why people don’t “push their A/C” In conclusion, Dr. Kituku looks back to April 11 1997, and what happened afterwards. He left a full time job to be a professional speaker, trainer and author. No paycheck every other week, 401K or Health and Life Insurances. English is not his native or even second language. His college education is not in any remote way related to what he was embarking to do. Now, looking back, all Dr. Vincent Muli wa Kituku says is, “I am blessed.” 30 DAYS SPECIAL OFFER: $20.00 ONLY (plus 4.99 S/H and 5% for Idaho residents) Reg. Price: ($59.99) for 3½ hours worth of powerful knowledge and tools you can use to not only overcome today’s unpredictable challenges, but also to THRIVE. Mail check to KITUKU & ASSOCIATES, P.O Box 7152. Boise, Idaho 83707. Or Call Toll Free 1 888 685-1621, for immediate shipping. Please have your Visa, Master Card or Discover credit cards when you call. Top 7 Tips on How to Balance Work and Life Lee Iacocca, former chairman of Chrysler Corporation, once said that most of the 242 million working people, “swing out of bed, yawn, and figure: ‘Oh…, I’ve got to make it through another day of drudgery’.” Working people are stressed out whether self employed or working for someone else. Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup For the Soul, said that about 75% of workers don’t like what they are doing or who they work for. A major explanation for stress has been uncertainty in the workplace as a result of increased competition, changing local and international trade regulations, merging of corporations and technological advances. Is change new to humanity? Are there better ways for an individual to thrive in a world of uncertainty? How can one balance the demands of personal life and work? To answer these questions, I am inclined to use strategies that were used by the people of my native community, of Kamba in Kenya. Their stresses were caused by disease, famine, the presence of water buffaloes and unpredictable tribal wars. The stresses experienced by Kambas and those in today’s workplace are similar because in both, one’s security is threatened, there is a sense of loss of one’s identity and loyalty to a system is negatively affected. Here are Top 7 Tips on how to balance work and personal life. 1. Establish your purpose on earth from a perspective that is independent from your daily activities. In today’s chaotic workplace, each one should ask himself: what is the primary purpose or mission in life? What is there to look back to and be glad when you are celebrating 95th birthday? 2. With the purpose established, commit to vision(s), decisions and actions on activities that help you achieve your purpose. Align individual goals with those of the organization you belong to. In what ways can your employment help you attain that purpose? How are your life goals align with the vision and mission of the organization you are working for? 3. Develop self-empowering strategies that allows you to use your creative and authentic potential to achieve your purpose as well as creating an environment for your employer’s or network group’s success. 4. View natural and man made-changes as natural processes that perpetuate personal growth. Embrace change in the workplace. Change brings new opportunities, including skills, knowledge and abilities, thus improving your employability. 5. Adhere to your faith, reflect on what has happened in past to be where you are, stay in contact with others and use physical activities as springboards for the body and mind as you forge ahead with your journey of accomplishing your mission. 6. The ability to let go of perceptions and practices that may not be beneficial to oneself or an organization is a stress-reduction step. Remember the wisdom from a fortune cookie, “Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bend out of shape.” 7. Get involved in community affairs. They provide opportunities to learn, socialize and strengthen a sense of belonging and contribution. It is a great networking strategy and also an opportunity to help others, which is one of the secrets of success. Remember, “There is nothing we can do that will bring us more in the way of rewards than daily striving to become better adjusted, happier, more productive human beings. It’s a lifetime job and worth every minute we spend on it.” Earl Nightingale ============================================================================== Top 13 Strategies to Build Your Business with Unlimited Referrals 1. Be EXCEPTIONAL or else the marketplace will tell you if you’re not 2. Be a human being. That is, be easy to work with. You’re the hired help, not the star 3. Do your research on your client. How can what you do help his or her organization 4. Don’t negatively surprise your client with your invoice’s content. 5. Follow-up after the sale or service with a phone call and check how your client was satisfied. 6. As you discuss client satisfaction, and ask for referrals. Ask for referrals both within client circles and their competitors 7. You might develop and/or use a target list 8. Get referral to notify the prospect first 9. Learn as much as you can about the new prospect…personal and organizational 10. Send small but memorable Thank You gifts to the referral source 11. Get your new client to THANK the referral source, or at least send the testimonial letter from your new client to the referral source 12. Get testimonial letters. Use them as much as you can. Third party endorsement works. 13. Conquer any fear of rejection you might have in this area. Most people are thrilled to help you as well as others whom they know. In April’s newsletter, I promised to share what I have learned in different areas of life/business in the last 5 years as a full time speaker, writer and seminar leader. Every month there will be a Featured Turning Point Experience piece that reflects a unique circumstance either in speaking or writing arenas. Here is this month’s piece: The High Cost of Perfection I had just finished presenting my two-day marriage workshop, “Overcoming Buffaloes in Marriage. How to Build a God-Centered Marriage,” when one of the participants approached me and said, “Vincent, would you please send a copy of the workbook to my brother-in-law?” Topics covered in this workshop are: Cultural Dynamics and Family Stability; Communicating Effectively to Save Marriage; Material Possessions: Blessings or Curse?; For the Sake of Children; Children: Additional Blessing; In-Laws and Your Marriage; Living Happily Ever After; Satisfying Sex Life and Healthy Marriage; A Husband’s Responsibility; A Wife’s Responsibility; and Breaking the Cycle of Divorce. I knew her brother-in-law. He was the head of a worldwide Christian organization and one of the most humble men I have ever met in my life. He is also talented in giving powerful sermons with meekness. Without hesitation, I promised the participant that I would send it. She didn’t say why she wanted me to do it and I didn’t ask. I actually thought she wanted him to see the materials covered in the workshop and either use it in his teachings or have me conduct such workshops within his organization. As I was going home, I thought about her request and I thought my workshop material were not good enough to be given to a man of such high position. I needed to make the materials flawless. English, admittedly, is neither my first nor second language. I wrote my first essay in high school and since high school, I have never taken English classes let alone a writing class. I was a science student and in my entire undergraduate program at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, I was required to write only three term papers. So I thought I would review my marriage workshop booklet, make corrections, and give it to an editor for more corrections before I sent it. Because of my full-time speaking engagements, days and weeks and months went by before I could find time to make the workbook perfect. Her request was made in May and by the end of September, I had not honored my promise. In October I heard the sad news that this man had been left by his wife. I don’t know what happened in their marriage. They seemed to have the “dream relationship” we all pray for. They were always together. As this leader taught preachers how to care for their flocks, she stood by him and sometimes taught and encouraged women married to preachers on how to overcome the challenges they faced. I prayed and called friends to pray for their reconciliation. The wife had moved out, rented an apartment and gotten a different job. This time, I logically resisted the temptation to send the materials because I didn’t want them to have to feel guilty. A few months later, this disillusioned leader, having lost considerable weight, stood before hundreds of people and resigned his position. I cried as I listened and watched him read his resignation statement and leave his chair for his successor. My mind went back and forth to his sister-in-law’s request and my pursuit of perfection. I agonized over the estranged marital relationship and the loss of a great leader who had led thousands to peace and hope. Words can’t express my heart’s heaviness for days as I contemplated on the fact that to help others we don’t have to look at our ability or capability BUT our availability. Our job is not to perfect ourselves in order to be useful in helping but to be willing to work through our imperfection and give God the glory. If you have someone who might benefit from the talents and gifts you have or the experiences you have gone through, just listen to the soft voice. © By Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku, Author, Motivational Speaker and Trainer. P.O Box 7152. Boise, Idaho 83707. Phone (208) 376-8724, www.Kituku.Com Stay Tuned With Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku Stay Tuned With Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku, host of “Buffaloes in Our Lives" a TWO hour weekly radio program, aired in the Northwest area on KBOI 670 AM, Saturdays at 7:00 a.m. Read Dr. Kituku’s newest articles in, Zidaho.com, Idahopress.com, Idahostatesman.com, Argusobserver.com, Times-News Magic Valley. =========================================================================== You can order Dr. Kituku’s books and tapes in any of the following methods: Call Toll Free 1-888 685 1621 or (208) 376-8724 (orders are mailed within 24 hours) (Visa, Master and Discover cards accepted) Mail order: Send check or money order to: KITUKU & ASSOCIATES, P.O Box 7152, Boise, Idaho 83707. Electronic Order: Order directly while you are here. Your information is confidential. Orders mailed within 24 hours after your information has been processed. 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