Hposh Diaries...... Top lessons from Mandela's life

I don't want to talk about myself today. I want to pay my own tribute to former South African President and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela who died at the age of 95 last Thursday 5th December 2013. You all know his history so I won't bore you with any more of it.

To say that Mandela changed the world is an understatement. Madiba came, he saw and he conquered. While speaking with someone recently he said "After Jesus the greatest person on earth is Mandela" (you have the right to your opinion). What kind of man goes to jail for 27 years under those inhuman circumstances without breaking? He suffered emotionally, mentally, financially and healthwise. Never the less, he remained undaunted. After his release, he became South Africa's first democratically elected President. He refused to run for a second term and there was no record of him paying back his former oppressors in their own coins. He not only forgave, he also forgot. What a man!

Just examining Mandela's life, I have discovered some secrets of success in life.

Some of the are:

1) Hold on to your dream, no matter what happens.

2) Be prepared. Everyday you witness the rising of the Sun, make sure you are better than the person you were the day before. Get more skills, read more books, listen to more tapes, build your character, nurture positive relationships. Success is when opportunity meets preparation.

3) Stay focused. Distractions will come but do not give in. Failure comes when we take our eyes off the goal.

4) Make sure your dream is worth dying for. If all you dream about is to make money, you are doomed to fail. Nothing is more important that adding value, making an impact.

5) Never Give Up! Challenges will come. They should make you better not bitter.

6) Your destiny is in your hands. "If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you can't. Whichever way, you are right" - Thomas Edison. People will desert you. Resources will fail to come. Those close to you will lose faith in you. When things get rough and tough, remember that you are the master of your fate and the captain of your soul.

7) Be positive! Say only things that are right. Speak life, wealth, hope, happiness! Nothing works better than the power of the mind.