Overcoming Buffaloes, hosted by Dr. Vincent Muli
Kituku is now a weekly radio program on KBXL94.1 FM,
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Issue
Number:
Volume X No. 9 Publisher:
Kituku & Associates Date of Issue:
September 2011
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To say
things are bad (economically) is to state the obvious.
Since the mortgage troubles began, millions of able
and experienced people have lost their jobs. Thousands
of businesses have been relegated to oblivion. But the
saddest thing is that millions have started to lose
their desire to keep trying.
In my own speaking, training, coaching and consulting industry,
things can’t get worse. You look at your calendar and its
emptiness makes you question whether you are nuts to believe
that things will turn around. It is like you are swimming in
shark-infested waters and unable to see the land because of fog.
That brings up a story I read of Florence Chadwick, the
legendary American swimmer. She solidified her fame when she
became the first woman to swim both ways of the 23 miles of the
English Channel. But on another swim, fog blurred her ability to
see the land and denied her the opportunity to swim from
Catalina Island to the California coast.
According to the story, the water was extremely cold and because
of thick fog, she was unable to see the boats that were supposed
to keep sharks away from her. After swimming for more than 15
hours, she asked to be lifted from the water. Her trainer
informed her that she was just about to reach dry land. But
because she couldn’t see the land, she quit, just a half mile
from her ultimate goal — the land.
There is no need to state how far we feel the “land” is from
where we are when you send resumes and don’t get interviewed.
You market your products and services, day after day, and yet
don’t seem to be getting anywhere near your goal.
Your greatness, and mine, just like Florence Chadwick’s
greatness, is not determined by an inconvenience that may blur
our goal but by the whole story of our lives. Our challenge is
to keep making efforts even when our expectations are not clear.
It is not for nothing that you have persevered this far.
PLEASE NOTE: Kituku & Associates is providing
discounted programs for past clients, if they book
2011-2012 within the next 30 days.
We want to be part of your solution and help your
group stay focused, motivated and move forward in
these chaotic times. Call (208) 376-8724.
The goal is to make your yesterday’s dream, today’s
routine, to live a life of fulfillment, with more than
short-lived successes here and there. Not just to get by,
but to surge ahead, every time reaching for new heights
that bring you new energy, determination and resolve to be
the best you can be professionally and personally.
This newsletter is designed to provide you with the tools
you need to overcome “buffaloes” in your professional and
personal life and inspire you to live up to your
potential. It is a program for top achievers who are
determined to grow themselves in preparation for a
fulfilling future that starts now.
Lesson number 32 of
the “Top 45 Must Know Lessons for Top Achievers” says,
“Hard work beats underused talents all the time.” I
love some of the things I have learned because of my
lack of spectacular talents. Hard work is the only
thing I know that Makes Failing a Non-option.
You work knowing there is no room to fail. And even if
you don’t achieve the desired results, you have gained
profitable experience that prepares you to succeed in
other projects.
One of my favorite quotes is by Major John L. Griffith.
He said, “I do not want anybody to convince my son that
someone will guarantee him a living. I want him rather to
realize that there is plenty of opportunity in this
country for him to achieve success, but whether he wins or
loses depends entirely on his own character, perseverance,
thrift, intelligence and capacity to work hard.”
"What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?" a
student asked me as I was closing my presentation at
Priest Lake Alternative High School in the West Bonner
School District in Idaho.
My surprise was not the question that I had never been
asked before. It was the response I gave. "To me, my
greatest accomplishment was a decision that I made the day
I failed to pass the high school admission exam in 1973."
In that moment, when I responded to the student’s
question, I realized that it was not the books that I had
written or the Ph.D. program that I completed a decade ago
or becoming a certified speaking professional, the highest
designation for speaking professionals (fewer than 7% of
us have achieved it).
The above, and several other attributes one might consider
accomplishments were byproducts of a simple decision that
I made in one of the darkest moments of my life. Failing
was not unusual for me. But repeating 7th grade was an
experience I wish I could forget. I had already spent four
years in two grades. Yet, that was a pivotal moment that
would shape the rest of my life.
It was the year I decided failing was not an option. As I
prepared to repeat 7th grade and be in the same class with
a brother three years younger than I, my uncle and an
adopted brother left home for high school. Both were my
classmates and had passed the same exam that I failed.
Watching them wear shoes and long pants for the first time
and having my father ask me to carry their luggage to the
bus station was an embarrassment I wasn’t ready to
experience twice.
I did whatever I had to, to pass that exam. I spent 30
minutes studying for it every night after everyone had
gone to bed. Sometimes I would put my feet in a basin with
cold water and drink strong tea just to stay awake. There
were other aspects of my life that I had to completely
change.
My past was not something I could change. But my future,
regardless of the shameful past, was not yet tarnished. It
was spotless. I stopped seeing myself as a victim of the
decisions made by teachers or my father, and saw myself as
someone with potential to achieve what others thought
beyond my reach.
That was the year I chose to befriend students with goals
to achieve. I was no longer willing to spend time with
those who had failed like me. I decided not to associate
with people with negative attitudes or those who whined
about how hard things were.
Soon after passing the exam in 1974, what I mean when I
say that, “What we do for ourselves can get us by, but
what we do for others is what gets us ahead…” became
evident. Not only did I continue with my extra daily 30
minutes of personal improvement, but in high school I
started teaching adults from nearby villages how to write
their names and numbers and do basic counting. Preparing
for the classes I taught gave me commitment and
discipline, two habits that I have cherished ever since.
Living beyond the goals you set today has become clearer
over the years. It was not a matter of achieving my goal —
joining high school, but going beyond high school. It was
a matter of living my life as if going to high school was
a normal step. It was a matter of starting to live the
life I expected to live when joining high school was not a
goal anymore.
It has been said that when one takes a leap, nature
provides a cushion. Soon after my decision, people who
wanted to help me and other needed resources seemed to be
always available. Doors of unexpected opportunities also
seemed to open from all directions.
Being resilient and having the ability to turn devastating
experiences into opportunities for learning is not
something I can claim to have had a say about. In 1974,
David Musoo, my two-year-old brother, died. I was
hospitalized with malaria. In the following year, my
sister, Mwelu, drowned in a nearby river and my
grandfather died a year later. Several years later, I lost
two more brothers and another sister. Life, everyday, is a
gift I receive. I just want to unwrap it and enjoy it when
I can. That gift, which we receive without any merit, can
and is taken as the giver wishes.
In this 20 pages book and the accompanying CD, you will
learn the 7 Actions that Make Failing a Non-Option.
1.
The first
action is to understand your situation. Are you
happy or not? Are you living up to your potential
or not? Are you growing professionally or not? Are
your relationships with the people you care about
great or not? Without clear understanding of your
current situation, it is next to impossible to
think of a better tomorrow.
2.
How
to recognize your potential
3.
Develop a plan of action that you can commit to on
a daily basis
4.
Become a maximum impact player
5.
Know the five people to avoid as you learn, change
and grow
6.
Be
a pioneer in your professional and personal
frontiers
7.
Keep it up: Know the challenge of staying on top
In Overcoming
Buffaloes at Work
& in Life, there is a story about how over
80% of
adults don’t live up to their greatness because they
suffer from what I call
“African Impala Syndrome.”
Jumping high and forward is an inborn talent for survival
in the African impala. The impala is known to jump about
ten feet high. This high jump propels the impala to land
about thirty feet from the spot where it started. With
this ability of vertical and horizontal jumping, the
impala survives and thrives in the carnivore-infested
savannas of Africa.
However, the impala has a unique limitation. It jumps only
when it can see where it will land. I once read from an
issue of “Bits and Pieces” that when the African impala is
confined in a three-foot high fence, it won’t jump.
As I think of the African impala, I often wonder how we
fail to live up to our potential because we suffer from
“African Impala Syndrome.” We don’t “jump” unless we can
see “where we will land.” When we suffer from this
syndrome, we choose to tough it out in careers or work
environments that may be stressful. We don’t let go of
habits that may be detrimental to our growth. We don’t try
new projects because we may not see what the results may
be. We lack the faith needed to move forward.
To jump forward, one has to use the word BUT cautiously. “But” is a
“wall” that nips talents before they can blossom. When one’s life is
governed by “buts,” chances are that his or her talents, gifts and
experiences are underutilized.
Understand that your not “jumping” not only hurts you, but all those who
could benefit from your jumping. If you, as a parent or boss go back to
school, chances are that your children or employees will emulate your
example.
To “jump” from your current state that you don’t like or wouldn’t like to
be in five years from now, you only need permission from one person, YOU.
Take inventory of what resources (people and material goods) you need to
help you launch your “Jump.”
Faith is a dynamic condition of mind through which desires, plans or
goals are translated into tangible results. The first step of putting your
faith in action is to determine your desire and purpose. The second is to
pursue it no matter what obstacles you face.
Once you have developed a goal, keep negative thoughts like failure,
fear, anger and envy from your mind. Associate with people who will
encourage you. Acknowledge that for every step backward, taking one or more
forward steps will bring you closer to your goals.
As you jump by faith toward your determined goal, never let a day pass
without doing something related to your goal. Surround yourself with
materials that are in tune with the goal you want to achieve, and always
remember, the power of belief makes the difference.
Remember, when we “jump,” we may suffer pain or failure. However, it is a
tragedy for one to never live up to his potential because he didn’t jump. By
not jumping, you may avoid pain or the experience of failure. But you won’t
learn, change, or experience self-love and growth. And the pain that you are
stuck in your situation and the regret that you did nothing about it when
you could is more scathing. Only by jumping can’t we liberate ourselves and
others to jump higher and farther.
If you are waiting for inspiration in order to jump, you are a waiter.
St. Augustine said, “God has promised forgiveness for your repentance,
but He has not promised tomorrow for your procrastination.”
WHEN:
SEPTEMBER 28:
5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Wed)
SEPTEMBER 30:
5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. (Fri)
OCTOBER 1:
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (Sat)
WHERE:
Doubletree by Hilton Boise Riverside,
2900 W Chinden Blvd, Garden City, ID
Ph. 343-1871
'If
I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two
areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience.
Nothing in life is more important than the ability to
communicate effectively.
- Gerald R. Ford. U.S. President
YESNO
Are your speeches and
presentations clear and concise?
YESNO Can you give speeches
without notes?
YESNO Are you nervous, forget what
you planned and are terrified by
public speaking?
YESNO Can you think and speak on your feet?
YESNO Can you inspire and captivate people to think and act?
YESNO Do you know your signature story and how to tell it to
influence people?
YESNO
Can you learn a story from an audience and use it for your advantage?
YESNO Do your presentations have energy and impact to make them memorable?
YESNO Are you able to influence people and negotiate/persuade effectively?
YESNO Do you know how to declare your presence to any audience?
YESNO Can you use PowerPoint without boring your audiences?
If your answer to questions 2, 6, and 7 is
YES, this seminar is for you.
If your answer to 4 or more of the other questions is
NO, register right away.
Power
to inspire and wow audiences with your authenticity and speaking
strengths
Skills
to prepare and speak with confidence
Value-adding body language, gestures, voice, movement and facial
expressions
Proven
strategies to establish a rapport with any audience
Ability to develop compelling content
How to
use storytelling, props, and humor to your advantage
Development of a professional image that demands respect
Develop the platform image that captivates audiences all the time
Know what makes each of your presentations memorable
Learn to make any audience listen, learn and call you back
Top tips to turn your fear of public speaking into a profitable
possession
3 strategies you need to know and relate with any of your audience’s
expectations
Learn how to make your information lead to maximum audience learning
experience
How to use your uniqueness and deliver presentations skillfully
Why, when and which tangibles to use for maximum presentation impact
Getting from unknown to a celebrated and well paid speaker/trainer or
consultant
How to charge morally acceptable fees you don’t feel guilty about
9 proven ways to market your business with minimum budget for maximum
returns
How to create a dominant presence and derive rewards in a competitive
market
The Be-MISH strategy that gets you paid for your expertise and speaking
skills
The 7 streams of income that keep dollars flowing into your business
Strategies for leveraging your services to add value for clients
and increase your fees
How to skyrocket your profits and minimize your costs with every
engagement
Discounted Rate information:
$495
BEFORE September
25th
$795
AFTER September
25th
$349
For Part I or
Part II
Note: Your investment includes meals—dinners, lunch and
refreshments and workbooks. Please note—you can transfer your
investment to later dates or another seminar or to a colleague.
We have no refund policy once you have registered for this
seminar. Limited space!
Guarantee: You will
not be disappointed! Please note: this is not for people
who just want to give presentations. This is for
individuals who want to inspire, challenge, influence
people and change the world.
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.
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Idaho 83709
If
I went back to college again, I’d concentrate on two
areas: learning to write and to speak before an audience.
Nothing in life is more important than the ability to
communicate effectively.
