AND THE 2ND HALF KICKS OFF!

So you are out there looking back, like a soccer pundit @ the first half of the year, taking stock of how you have fared so far, yes you may not have posted a champagne class performance in the 1st half, but you sure have given it a good try.

The 2nd half just kicked off though, Many of us have heard about the  Pareto principle, I mean the 80/20 Rule which means that in anything  we do, only a few (20 percent) are vital and many(80 percent) are trivial. Of the things you do during your day, only 20 percent really matter. Those 20 percent produce 80 percent of your results. Identify and focus on those things. When the fire drills of the day begin to sap your time, remind yourself of the 20 percent you need to focus on. If something in the schedule has to slip, if something isn't going to get done, make sure it's not part of that 20 percent.

As you conduct your review, you can identify those plans you need to edit or perhaps delete, are there some goals  you had set for yourself @ the start of 2013 that have churned and are way off target? You need rekindle  them and  consciously cultivate  strategic habits that will put you back on track.

Last Sunday @ the  Confederations cup final in Brazil , Vicente del Bosque’s plan went awry and he  had to pull out Arbeloa and  Juan Mata and  replaced them with Cesar and Jesus Navas.

Albeit things didn’t turn out the way they wanted in the 2^nd half, the introduction of Navas produced a penalty which almost gave the Spaniards a lifeline against the Samba boys. The fact that it didn’t work out in the first half doesn’t mean it won’t pan out well in the 2^nd half. A lot of teams have gone to turn around a huge first half deficit on their way to victory( Liverpool vs Ac Milan Champions league final 2005). The latter shall be better than the former remember…, you might stumble when you start,but your finishing is what matters.

In the words of Steve Maraboli ‘Each day brings with it the opportunity to do more than you did yesterday.’ You may not have started well, but I trust you will finish well this 2nd half and score life goals of mickle proportions, I celebrate you in advance!

Happy new month! @akinmodupe

WHAT I LEARNT FROM KESHI

After three exhilarating  weeks of feisty football feast,

a strange burst of open happiness that I last felt back when I was in primary 5

(When Nigeria defeated Zambia to win her 2^nd Afcon in Tunisia 1994) was rekindled

19 years later, as the Super Eagles coasted to another historic victory South Africa.

As I consume the joy and euphoria of the Afcon success, I  took some time to reflect on the  

lessons I learnt from the legendary Stephen Okechukwu Keshi.

1.UNDER PROMISE AND OVER DELIVER

Keshi’s appointment as the Super Eagles gaffer was unheralded

 as it came at a time when Nigerian football  was steadily plunging into abyss and @ its lowest ebb.

The lads failed to qualify for Afcon 2012. The Big Boss never promised to perform a turnaround in a short while,

 he only said he will try and rebuild a new team with the homebased players in mind.

 Now, he has gone ahead to build a team that will represent Africa in the Confederations cup in Brazil,

with a home based player Sunday Mba scoring the vital goal on Sunday night.

2.TEAM SPIRIT

Keshi won the boys over, off the field of play and we all saw the result on the field of play.

I have never seen a bunch of committed and determined Super Eagles players since 1994!

They buried their personal pursuits and played for one another.

They all played as unit as he made them realize that TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE(TEAM).    

3.YOU DON’T NEED  ANYONE TO BELIEVE IN YOU,BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Keshi’s path to Afcon success was not only narrow but also unheralded.

He almost walked out of the team when the NFF administrators were trying to teach him his job.

Infact,90 percent of sport pundit in Nigeria (including myself) didn’t give him a chance.

But he went all the way to prove us wrong..apologies to Keshi.

However I think that was what he needed to galvanize the team to victory.

Nobody has the right to define you or make you feel inferior, unless of course you permit them.

Forget what people are saying about you, what matters most is what you say about yourself.

4.HUMILITY

As a sports Journo, I interviewed Keshi on two occasions and I must say that the Big boss is down to earth.

I remember I had to call him very late in the night for an interview and he granted it even though he had asked me

to  call earlier. And after the Victory in South Africa, instead of taking the glory, he rather ascribed it to his backroom staff,

they include: Sylvanus Okpala, Daniel Amokachi, Ike Shorunmu, Valere Houandinou.

5.AMBITION

If you don’t have a goal or a vision in life, then you are only existing and not living.

Keshi gave the lads something to fight for, he sold them his vision, and they ran with it like possessed spirits!

Defender Efe Ambrose  said after the finals that  Keshi told them even before the tournament,

that his aim was not only to win the cup but to go to the Confederations Cup in Brazil ,

The Confederations Cup is bigger than what they were playing for in South Africa.

And his dream was all the inspiration they needed to Rule Africa!

As we continue to celebrate, I encourage you to go ahead and soar like theSuper Eagles, as you  keep scoring life goals…

Happy Golden Week!

@akinmodupe.