TIME-TESTED WAYS TO ACHIEVE YOUR WILDEST DREAMS

By Robert Bake Tumuhaise – MD, WORLD OF INSPIRATION

Capturing the key lessons from the last AUTHORS’ FORUM

“If you think of an idea for so long without acting, drop it to create room for new ideas!” Those words by Sadiq Ali Bohra, the Pakistani businessman who featured in the Celeb Interview at the last Authors’ Forum jolted me out of my comfort zone. From the way he talks and conducts himself, Sadiq is a very humble guy, a trait that has been instrumental in rallying people behind his HenBerg brand. His 21 years of business experience, has taught him many lessons some of which he shared with us: 1. Some things cannot be learnt in school; we have to start and learn them on job. 2. Asians are great at business because their culture ensures that everyone gets exposed to money and business at a young age (in his case, he joined at 15). 3. For us to succeed we should not look at quick fixes; we should start projects looking at results benefiting even the next generations.

I could go on and on, but can I really exhaust what that business guru unveiled? Having written for BBC and Dawns (the longest and most selling newspaper in Pakistan), he also had a lot of advice to writers. All this you will find on the video recording if you order for your own copy at 15,000/= by calling 0774107287 / 0414691595. For now, I must continue the story. Not to the Byamukamas! First was Eng Byamukama Joseph, the famous guitarist, who performed a song of love that filled all the emotional potholes in my heart. Then there was another  Bkyamukama – Dismus – who featured in the Testimony of the Month segment. From having only 40,000 shillings in his life in 2012 to now owning a house of 150 million shillings and several thriving businesses is not an easy feat.  

Well, Byamukama explained the details of how he has advanced at such a Kiprotich speed. One of his secret weapons has been reading, courtesy of the Authors’ Forum. In his testimony he quoted not less than 10 authors, a sign that leaders are readers! He said it all started when he joined the Authors’ Forum and learnt that the right mindset boosted by action can multiply anything. So with his capital of 40,000 shillings, he bought 2 shirts, each at 15,000 and sold each at 40,000. He kept re-investing the money back into the trade. At one point he involved his OBs by giving them shirts to sell to their friends at any price as long as they bring him his 40,000 shillings per shirt… (You will get the entire testimony on the DVD).

There are so many lessons we can draw from Byamuakama’s testimony. One of them is that we can start from where we are. In his case, he started selling his products to his friends and workmates, using small capital. The second lesson is that it matters who you network with. He was clearly networking with the right people who could buy his products and also join him in selling! He quoted the words he had heard Ethan Musolini mention at the Authors’ Forum a few years ago: “You cannot become an eagle if you always hang out with ducks!”

When it came to the inspirational speaker of the month – Wanja Odhiambo – she proved that she is a woman who eats, drinks, breathes and spits fire – the fire of inspiration! “You can’t price something when you don’t know its value,” were her words as she delved into helping us discover our value. Her own experience of going to the UK, her permit expiring and spending months and months staying with a friend without any income, and later starting one of the most globally reviewed and awarded African Restaurants in England was very touching. Indeed, as we had promised, her inspiration was smellable, feelable and touchable! She spoke with energy – leaving no doubt that successful people are made by their dreams, thoughts, decisions and actions.

Wanja’s message eliminated from our minds the thinking that we do not have enough resources to get to where we want to be. We do not need anyone – not even the government – to help us. At the speed of lightening she listed so many resources that Uganda has, which if tapped we can fly to our destiny. She highlighted the things that devalue us as well as those that increase our value, and thus which we can leverage to set our prices. That’s just a jaribu – for her real message watch the DVD. For subscribed members, remember you are entitled to a free DVD every month. The rest, call the numbers above or visit WORLD OF INSPIRATION office at MM Plaza T33 and get your copy at 15,000 shillings.

Before I tell you what actually stole the show, I will remind you that the Authors’ Forum we are talking about took place at the National Theatre on the evening of 2^nd July. The next episode is scheduled for Wednesday 6^th August, 5:30pm to 8:30pm, same venue. We shall be hosting other great authors who have created new ideas that are impacting the world. Let me just whisper this: Dr Edward Kazire will be back! When we hosted him 2 months ago, his message was so powerful and fireful that we didn’t want him to end; but we had to respect time. Due to public demand, he is returning to share with us on the topic: FIGHTING FOR YOUR DREAM. He told us how one time he was met carrying a sack of herbs and gossip spread all over that there was a mad graduate in the village. One wonders what really kept him afloat till he managed to build a 10-billion business, despite all discouraging forces that should have pushed him to give up on his dream. More good news: This week (until 13^th July), we are giving a 10,000 shillings discount on each ticket, meaning you pay 30,000 instead of 40,000 and yet still get your free inspirational book/DVD. Call those numbers.

Finally, the highlight of the day was the ‘Graduation Ceremony’ of 4 ladies and 1 gentleman who received their certificated after completing ACTION PLANNING – a self-discovery course offered by the School of Inspiration at WORLD OF INSPIRATION. For those who were present, you heard from the horse’s mouth how the course changed their lives. One of the things they pointed out was the test they passed of earning from their hobbies and other activities they had never earned from! Well, registration for the next intake is on and classes kick off this Saturday 12^th July. Through this course, you will get to understand the concepts of mission, vision and goals and how they relate to your daily life, work and dreams. You will discover your purpose in life and how your talents & passions relate to it. You will be guided in developing the habits and skills you need to achieve your dreams. This course will empower you to choose which projects, businesses or jobs suit your calling and how to align your daily thoughts, decisions and actions using a simple tool – action plan. With this course, procrastination will be a word of the past.

The entire course is covered in six weekly 3-hour sessions that are flexibly arranged at the convenience of the participants. For this upcoming intake, the sessions will be running for six weeks starting 12^th July 2014, 10am to 1pm, at IPS Building. For now, the course fee (also covering the training materials and a certificate) is 300,000 UGX (soon to be revised). NB:  Authors’ Forum subscribed members pay only half. Call Bake Robert (Managing Director – 0704666851) or Peter Opata (Manager, School of Inspiration – 0702000808) or Ann Zungu (Operations Manager – 0758409081 / 0414691595) to pay and book your slot.

Stay blessed and inspired!