Issue Number: Volume VIII No. 5 Publisher: Kituku & Associates
Date of Issue: May 2009.  © 2009—Overcoming Buffaloes in Our Lives. All Rights Reserved.

You have been there. It’s time to go home. You are exhausted. You have neither desire nor the energy to do anything else. But you can’t show what you accomplished. Yes, for eight hours you were involved in some activities. Yet there was no productivity. Soon a routine of activities followed by exhaustion and burnouts develops.


Within a short time the youthful energetic professional who had the potential to impact his or her world joins the over 75% of employees in industrial nations who dislike their jobs and end up just doing the basics to get by. No new ideas or new challenges or new adventures. Life is just work, boredom, self-pity and involvement with trivialities that don’t necessarily require clear purpose.

That is what Zig Ziglar’s explanation of a processionary caterpillar, in his See You at the Top book, means to me. The lead caterpillar places its tail on the head of the second caterpillar, which places its tail on the head of the third caterpillar. This pattern goes on and allows the caterpillars to eat as they move forward. Zig Ziglar says if the caterpillars are arranged in a circle, with the last caterpillar placing its tail on the head of the first one, they go in a circle until they die of hunger even when there is food at the center of the circle.

The creatures are involved in an activity but not in productivity! Aimless efforts lead to lost opportunities, lack of enthusiasm, stress and cynicism.
 
 
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How do you avoid suffering from
                 a personal caterpillar syndrome?

Face Reality. A Kamba proverbs says, “He who doesn’t leave his home thinks that only his mother knows how to cook.” You limit your ability to succeed when you don’t learn new ways of life. If you have kept the same non-visionary associates, never read new books or attended professional/personal development workshops and you don’t try new things, you have developed a “syndrome” only you can break from. New friends, new knowledge and adventure open opportunities you never knew existed.
 

Analyze your situation. Why are you unfulfilled? What happened to your dreams? Are you using your creativity to the fullest? Is what you are doing the best you can? You can start the process to better your habits and/or way of life by honestly analyzing why you are not experiencing fulfillment.
 

Take Time to Think. The advice I give new college students is to do everything possible to graduate from school with the ability to think. It is one thing to have a certificate hanging on the wall but totally another thing to think. Ability to think allows you to adjust the application of your skills, knowledge and career as circumstances change. It provides you the background for questioning status quo—a crucial element for growth. It is alarming to have a degree, skills and knowledge but be stuck in thinking that can only be used in one way.
 

Take Time to Plan. A few minutes of planning can save you hours, even days of frustration. Lack of planning results in non-productive activities, hence wasted time and resources. Go to the store without a clear idea or a list of what you need. You are likely to waste time, purchase something you do not need and feel bad about both. Yet two minutes taken to list what you want will save you time and resources and eliminate frustration.
 

Ask for Help. Here is another Kamba wisdom — “One finger cannot kill lice.” Always know that there is someone with the knowledge, skills and/or resources that you need to overcome your challenges and grow. Most people fail to succeed because of trying to kill their lice alone.
 

Small Steps are Fine. In 1998, a newspaper offered to pay $10/week for my articles. I called my wife and said, “Honey, things are looking up. I will be paid weekly for my writing.” Other newspapers started printing and paying for the same articles (I give first rights only—meaning my articles can be printed by whomever I permit). In 2000, a $10 article led to $13,000 project. Small steps are better than standing still, when you have a journey ahead of you—and life is a journey.
 

Be in the present. Yesterday is gone. And tomorrow may never be yours. You have to learn to be in the present. Develop life purpose that starts with the tools (skills, knowledge, influence and material resources) that you have NOW. It is easy to fall into the trap of looking back to good old times and/or looking forward to a better tomorrow. However, even in the good old times, you were probably looking to a better tomorrow (maybe because you lacked what you thought was necessary for your dreams). Waiting for tomorrow (after retirement or when the children are grown or when you get a new boss) is a gamble. Just know that if you only have 70% productivity today, you can never do 130% tomorrow to cover your today’s missing 30%.


It is with deep pleasure I announce the addition of five experts to Kituku & Associates. Our mission is to continue with our commitment to top quality professional/personal services and products tailored for today’s challenging workplace. Each expert has been a part of our program in one way or another
over the years.
 

 

Julie Levitt, prolific nationally published author, is highly experienced in professional writing instruction and development for international and domestic corporate, private, and governmental organizations. In addition, she provides training in job search, career development, professional proofreading and editing services ...
(read more)
 


 

Ed Boyce has blended his experiences and skills as a coach to become an accomplished motivational speaker. His natural dynamic speaking ability, coupled with the successes of those he has touched, has afforded Ed the opportunity to inspire even greater numbers through public speaking. His message of building a dream, unwavering belief and perseverance, continue to inspire people from all walks of life... (read more)
 


 

Ruth Romero - Fashion and style have always been important in Ruth’s life. She has an innate ability to provide beauty, wardrobe and career advice that reflect a man or woman’s unique strengths and characteristics. She honed these skills while working in New York City in the men and women’s fashion industry, as well as during the many years she traveled the globe as the personal adviser for numerous Miss USAs and Miss Universes … (read more)
 

Kathy McIntosh brings her unique, energetic and humorous perspective on life to every presentation. She combines her knack for interactive and entertaining presentations with practical, usable tips that help people improve their personal and professional lives. As founder/owner of A Well-Placed Word, Kathy works with individuals and organizations to increase the effectiveness of their messages by using the right word, every time. She writes comic mystery fiction and non-fiction … (read more)
 

Gregory Deitchler is a results-oriented professional and personal growth expert. He provides tools to organizations, individuals, and families who want to learn how to tap into internal motivation and increase productivity with clarity of focus…With his inspiring background as a cancer survivor and his extensive education he not only inspires but educates his audiences. In addition to his private practice, Greg is well known in the adolescent mental health field for his work designing school based day treatment programs for at risk/emotionally disturbed youth. He trains educators and educational officials on the complexity of issues in adolescent mental health, group dynamics, and team building. (read more)
 

We have been blessed, since January, with the opportunity to work with Kaye L. Campbell, founder and owner of
KNJ Event Support Services LLC of Boise, as the promoter of Kituku & Associates’ services.

Kaye has been instrumental in coordinating our PR efforts, planning conferences and development of clients-oriented tools that help clients continue providing motivational and training opportunities for their employees in these chaotic times. Ms. Campbell was senior vice president of the International Festivals & Events Association for the past seven years, where she managed the association's crucial relationships with sponsors and others, as well as assisting with overseeing the
day-to-day operations of the association.

Kaye can be contacted at (208) 514-1985 and kaye@knjeventsupportservices.com. Visit www.knjeventsupportservices.com to learn more.
 


 




WHEN:
May 8th, 2009   8:30 am - 3:00pm
Where:
Nampa Civic Center
Requirements:
You must register — space is limited
What to Do to Move Forward in Chaotic Times
Power Tools for Winning Resumes: Gain competitive advantage—stand out in a crowd
Where are Jobs in Idaho?
Career Choice; Moving Your Skills on the Job Chessboard
Alternative Sources of Income
Tough times Don’t Last
7 Actions that Make Failing a Non-Option
 
Expert Speakers:
Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku, author and international motivational speaker
Roger Madsen, Idaho State Director of labor
Julie Levitt, author of Your Career—How to Make It Happen-10 year best-seller
Ed Boyce, former BSU basketball coach and founder of Hoop Dreams
Bae Emilson, expert in career planning and development
Sponsors:

· Kituku & Associates   · Nampa Civic Center
· Prime Equity Mortgage   · Arbonne International

REGISTRATION:

Visit www.kituku.com to register

  Download the PDF Form to fill out


 

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The purpose of your story for a workplace audience is to improve the bottom line. Even in those employee appreciation programs where entertainment may seem the focus, there is an undeniable expectation of increased productivity after your story is heard. The three questions to ask yourself when using your story are: (A) How does the story improve a client’s bottom line? (B) Can a story have multiple applications? (C) How can a story be tailored to address a specific client’s needs?
 

 (A) How does the story improve a client’s bottom line?

To make a positive impact on your audiences’ professional and/personal endeavors and generate repeat engagements, consider the essentials below. If addressed well within your story, a small positive change in any of these aspects will create a huge improvement in your client’s bottom line.
 

Your story must inspire people to act now and be creative with limited resources, especially in these times of unprecedented uncertainties in workplaces. Your story must evoke the emotional cord that moves people to action beyond awareness, to change even when it’s painful, to let go of the past and believe in and focus on a future that is not necessarily clear.
 

Your clients, just like you, work for customers. Customers pay salaries. Your story’s goal must be to help clients improve customer service by providing better products and/or services, staying close to customers so that they can monitor their needs and expectations and deliver better products and/or services than anyone else so that they won't have to worry about competition.
 

Personal accountability/ownership of an individual’s decisions and actions is a key element often missing in struggling teams and organizations. Here is where your story must put an entire organization’s success on the shoulders of each employee or team player. From the receptionist to the top officers, each employee must act as the CEO of his or her decisions and actions—knowing that a simple mishandling of a situation by a single employee can bring a great company down.
 

Team dynamics is a crucial element that clients want addressed in your story. Your story has be the foundation of effective communication, coordination, collaboration and conflict resolution. It has to point out that the success of any team, like that of a wolf pack, depends on individuals’ commitment and contribution, while the success of an individual depends on the strength of the team and its ability to function with inherent differences.
 

People change when they overcome any form of challenge. Tailor your story to challenge them to focus on: opportunities instead of obstacles, what can be achieved as opposed to why failing is possible, a future they can possibly achieve instead of a past that has gone to oblivion and the talents, skills and experiences they already have instead of those they might lack.
 

The ultimate call to action is the understanding, belief and willingness to be involved in something bigger than a job/career. When your story inspires people to think and act beyond self, you have not only changed lives, you have also changed the world for your audiences. Their bottom line is never the same again


(B) Can a story have multiple applications?

A story is like a Bible verse—it has different applications for different times and different groups. Your job is to tell your story in a way that your audience receives it as their own—based on their challenges, expectations and the world they know or don’t know. If they can’t see how your story relates to what is going on in their world, your story is meaningless and in such a case, their world remains unchanged.
 

(C) How can a story be tailored to address a specific client’s needs?

There is only one way to make your story address any of your clients’ needs—your dedication to learn their challenges, concerns and expectations. Spending the time to interview 6-12 members of an organization will provide you enough information to help tailor your story to that organization’s needs.

The mechanisms of how you tell your story matters. Your pauses, gestures, vocal variations and all other aspects of public speaking are necessary. The most important one, however, is how you care for your audience. The way you prepare and deliver your story is the barometer your audience reads on how you care about their concerns and the time they are investing to listen to you. Make your story their stepping stone to a rewarding tomorrow.

© By Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku, motivational speaker and author of Overcoming Buffaloes at Work & in Life is an expert who works with organizations to increase productivity through leadership and employee development programs.
Contact him at www.overcomingbuffaloes.com or (208) 376-8724
 

 

Native of Kenya, Africa, and resident of Idaho since 1992, Vincent has been a featured speaker and trainer at numerous Real Estate conferences and training programs. An award winning speaker and writer, he is one of the less than 7% of all professional speakers to earn a CSP (Certified Speaking Professional), the highest award for professional speakers. Dr. Kituku has worked with championship sports teams and trained leaders on how to inspire productivity all the time. What sets Vincent apart is his ability to weave life experiences in Africa with corporate America and culture in providing solutions for personal and professional growth.


Dr. Vincent Muli Wa Kituku is known as a research-based motivational speaker. He presents motivational keynotes and training programs on leadership, employee motivation, overcoming buffaloes at work (change), customer service and living and working with cultural differences. Vincent is the founder and president of Kituku & Associates, LLC, a business that is dedicated to developing leaders and employees in business and in life.

What has set Dr. Kituku apart is the ability to use his experience in research to evaluate/assess client needs and then tailor his keynotes/training presentation to meet their objectives. Harold G. Delamarter, President/CEO, Prestige Care Inc. said, "Before the Retreat, Dr. Kituku gained as much information as possible about our company and the industry we are involved in. He made telephone calls to management team members to tailor his seminar very closely to the needs of our employees and the circumstances they face each day in the present economy. Dr. Kituku was so widely received in July, the decision was made to ask him to return to again present to our company in October."

Vincent's clients list includes Cisco Systems, Micron, Hewlett Packard, Genworth Financial, US Fish and Wildlife, US Air Force, Women Council of Realtors and National Association of Mental Health. He has been the motivational speaker for the successful Boise State Football Team since 1998. Dr. Kituku works have been featured by numerous publications including the Presentations Magazine, SkyWest Magazine, National Speakers Association Magazine and many newspapers which publish his weekly columns. Vincent holds the Certified Speaking Professional designation that is earned by fewer than 7% of all speakers worldwide.
 


If results are important to you, then
Dr Vincent Muli Kituku is the speaker/trainer for your group.
Call (208) 376-8724, or email Vincent directly at Vincent@kituku.com



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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