STRESS AND IT'S INTRICACIES
INTRODUCTION
It is an open secret that majority of ailments which the Human race suffers from is made manifest by STRESS.

WHAT IS STRESS
Generally speaking stress is the process by which we perceive and respond to certain events, called STRESSORS, that we appraise as threatening or challenging.  Stressor therefore are anything that challenge our usual way of doing thing e.g examinations, death of a loved one, Economic recession, and rejection of proposal by a sister all these are external examples,Internal ones would be worry, uncertainty, unrealistic expectations.....

Manageable Stress can lead to growth and enhanced competence. Uncontrollable, prolonged, or overwhelming stress is destructive.


SIGNS&SYMPTOMS

•  Decreased concentration,

•  Decreased comprehension,

• Memory

Irritability;some take it out on their family members (mothers, sisters, wives) or roommates, friends, even on a total stranger.....
✅withdrawal, ✅violence
✅Fear, 
✅anxiety,
✅ depression,
✅ fatigue
✅Decreased immune response


RESPONSES
Briefly, Stages of stress response include.
✅Alarm—when one feels threatened
✅Resistance—mobilization of resources to solve the problem
✅Continued stress causes adaptation
✅Exhaustion occurs when
Adaptation fails and level of function decreases

N:B Manageable Stress can lead to growth and enhanced competence while
Uncontrollable, prolonged, or overwhelming stress is destructive.

In responding to stress We have coping strategies which could be

• Problem solving

• Emotion reducing

Problem solving:
Direct response aimed at  modifying, or eliminating a source of stress
For instance, after getting a poor grade, a student decides to study harder or get a tutor.
Problem-solving strategies include:

•     Seeking help from another person

•    Obtaining information or advice that would help to solve the problem

  Solving problems- making and implementing plans to deal with the problem
Confrontation- defending ones right and    persuading other people to change their behaviour.
Emotion-reducing strategies, which alleviate the emotional response to the response.
For example, viewing loss of a job as a challenge or opportunity, not a tragedy.
Emotion- reducing strategies include;
Ventilation of emotion- talking to another person and expressing emotion. Really helpful when talking to the right set of people
        Evaluation of the problem- to assess what can be changed and try to change it and what cannot be changed, to accept it.
Positive reappraisal of the problem- recognising that it has led to some good, for example, the loss of a job is an opportunity to find a more satisfying occupation.
Seeking social support;
Tangible and/or emotional support provided in time of need by family members, friends, peer groups, Religious Organizations.....
The feeling of being loved, valued, and cared for by those toward whom we feel a similar obligation
Emotion reducing strategies encourages health-promoting behaviors and reduces impact of stress
Others include;
Eating right; this could go along way to reduce stress;
Fast foods and soft drinks can increase stress levels
Fresh fruit, vegetables, smoothies can help relieve stress
Sleep;
Sleep helps to reduce fatigue,
Improve concentration...... we can't cheat our bodies. An adult should try to get 6-7 hrs of sleep daily.
Breathing exercises
Breathe in for 5 seconds, hold ur breath for 3 secs
Slowly breath out through ur nose for a count of 7secs.
Exercise regularly; Exercises has proven to be effective in managing stress. Helps improve your immunity, best on an empty stomach. Add it to your morning routine.
You could start small. For the married ones you can include your spouses to make it more fun.....
Take advantage of your free time. Develop a hobby.... do things u enjoy.
Manage your time well
Enjoy the company of family and friends and most importantly BE CONTENTED!!!!.

Maladaptive responses
These strategies reduce the emotional response to stressful circumstances in the short term, but lead to greater difficulties in the long term.
Maladaptive coping strategies include the following:

•  Use of alcohol or unprescribed drugs to reduce the emotional response or to reduce awareness of stressful circumstances. Deliberate self harm-  either by drug overdose or self-injury.
•  Some people gain relief from tension by cutting the skin with a sharp instrument to induce pain and draw blood.

Others take overdoses to withdraw from the situation or to show their need for help.

• Unrestrained display of feelings- can reduce tension, and in some societies such is sanctioned in particular circumstances, for example, grieving.

In other circumstances, such behaviour can damage relationships with people who would otherwise have been supportive

•  Aggressive behaviour- aggression provides immediate release of feelings of anger.

In the longer term, it may increase the person’s difficulties by damaging relationships.

CONCLUSIONS
Stress is part of everyday life
It can promote growth and competency
If unrelenting or overwhelming it can cause adverse effects
Adaptive coping enhances resilience
Maladaptive coping causes additional problems
Please see your psychiatrist or counselor in the event that you feel overwhelmed.

Brought to you by Thoughts&Reflexes

CREDIT : Dr. Taslimah Abdurrahman
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BUILDING YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS Concluding part

BUILDING YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS Concluding part

Now we know almost all the basic requirements of being a successful entrepreneur, however some other pointers which must be noted are encapsulated below.


CONCLUSIONS

After all that have being said, it's pertinent to note that certain things should be put into consideration as regards Entrepreneurship.

•  Pay yourself first.

•  Delay gratification

•  Don't pay for everything, get some services on a partnership basis

•  Build a very effective customer service

•  always look for ways of getting feedbacks

•  Ask for referrals

• Start with a lean but effective staff and adjust along the way.

•  Start from simple to complex

• Don't let momentary success overwhelm/deceive you.

Finally, you need to work seriously on your managerial skills, because Entrepreneurs are managers, they manage People, time, money and policies,
All above make a good entrepreneur.

We hope that this little effort of ours would spur us all to start thinking on how to become Entrepreneurs.
We wish you the best in life endeavours.

Thoughts&Reflexes
CREDIT: Bakare Haneef Akinsola (Co founder, BuyHalalng.com)

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BUILDING YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLA: A PRAGMATIC APPROACH PART 2

BUILDING YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLA: A PRAGMATIC APPROACH PART 2

Sequel to the first part of this write up where we analysed the meaning, benefits, and misconceptions about Entrepreneurship.

NECESSITIES OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

To excel as an Entrepreneur, there are certain requirements which will help to solidify the possibility of achieving success.
These requirements would be explained in terms of stages

CONCEPTUAL STAGE: You need to have an idea to be an entrepreneur.
Many at times the idea stems from the need to manage or maintain a particular problem, or offer a product which would add value to the end users.
Your idea might be innovative or creative
 Examples; If my idea is to create a website where people can order for akara and moi moi, then my idea falls under innovation
But if my idea is to build a special pot to ease the frying of akara, then I'm being creative with my idea.

So, first step, Conceive an idea

BUILD UP STAGE: This is where a potential entrepreneur carry out feasibility studies on conceived ideas/concept.
Possible actions under build up stage include but not limited to.

• Review of past efforts relating to the idea.

• Strength, Weakness,Opportunity, Threat (SWOT) Analysis.

• Refine and enhance of the idea based on analysis

• Working on methods and logistics that best suit idea
• Getting people with similar ideas to work with as one tree doesn't make a forest.

• Get professional advice and support from those that matters

•  Check for unrealistic policies and replace with realistic policies.

N:B A lot of people would try to dissuade you at this stage, telling you, you are wasting your Money or your Time, Don't listen.

Remember that if you build on passion, it will always keep you motivated
FINANCING STAGE: Every idea you conceive would need money to implement, needless to say this is where majority gets stuck, below are ways to source for funding for your concept.

•  Fundraising: you can organise small event to pull out cash from people. This always works when problem you're solving is general and solution to it is badly needed.

People will appreciate and try to help you.
You need to be wise in doing this as you're partially sharing your idea

• Get Investors: Create a simple blog stating that you're looking for investors, share with friends and families. 
• Government grants or SME funding: self explanatory I guess, even though it's difficult to get

• Scholarship or Foundation grant:There are certain international and indigenous bodies that seeks to finance concepts and ideas,  Example is Tony Elumelu Foundation(unfortunately, this year application has closed few days back)

• Loans: could be from formal banking institutions or from Friends and families.

Always put in mind that, if your idea/concept is truly extraordinary, the funds would find it's way in, you just need to look well

Watch out for the concluding part.
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Building your entrepreneurial skills part 1

BUILDING YOUR ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS: A PRAGMATIC APPROACH PART 1
INTRODUCTION
Take a quizzical look at the present economical quagmire which our beloved country is neck deep in, the level of economic recession and the massive rate of unemployment, it becomes imperative that all Nigerians begin to think and reflect on the best approach to remove ourselves individually and collectively from this menace of Economic recession. One thing that easily comes to mind in a bid to escape this quagmire is self employment, a feat that is possible only when we all go into ENTREPRENEURSHIP
 
WHAT IS ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Entrepreneurship relates to the pursuit of risky and innovative business ventures to capture new opportunities.
Entrepreneurs are innovators, willing to take risks and generate new ideas to create unique and potentially profitable solutions to modern-day problem,
In other words, every person with his or her senses is bound to be an entrepreneur,  The grandmother selling moimoi near the street is an Entrepreneur,
Likewise the woman hawking pap early in the morning.
No doubt, entrepreneurship is the way out of the seemingly expanding unemployed labour force in Nigeria. But the lack of skills on the part of the Nigerian youths has really been contributory to this problem.(Muhammad Basheer Ishola, President, Union of campus journalist, Unilorin).
Jack Ma, founder of AliBaBa, said, there's power in the youths thus virtually all the youths should be an entrepreneur.

BENEFITS OF BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR
Abound are numerous reasons why you need to be an entrepreneur especially as a Nigerian Youth, particularly as a student.

• Financial freedom

• Freedom of Time

• Being your own boss

• You're an employer thus contributing to the growth of your nation's economy

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Many of us have nurtured some misconceptions about entrepreneurship, below are some of those widely believed misconceptions.

• Thinking you need to be super rich

•  Thinking only those with degrees in Entrepreneurial studies can excel

• Wrong notion that the country does not support self employment.

• Add yours, we know you have.

We stop here for now watch out for the second part where necessities of Entrepreneurship would be analysed.

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UNILORIN FRESHERS PROTEST

Some Newly admitted students of University of ilorin Protested today after the school refuses to clear them due to errors with their results after being given admission. they were ask to go home and collect another Jamb form.

 Unilorin enough Is enough....... After paying acceptance fee of #20,000 they are now saying UNACCEPTABLE RESULT that we should go home..... Please share till help rises for us.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL LAUTECH STUDENTS AND STAFFS

LAUTECH set to reopen

The crisis rocking Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, may be over in a couple of days, as the Oyo State Government has confirmed the payment of N500 million into the coffers of the school, for payment of staff salaries.

The Oyo and Osun State governments paid N250 million each, it said.

Senior Assistant on Students and Youths to Governor Ajibola Ajimobi, Bolaji Afeez, said “We are hopeful of a next week resumption; we have reached out to ASUU leadership regarding their resolution of waiting for the report of the panel as we are hopeful that the new development will reopen LAUTECH by next week”.

Mr. Bolaji also restated the government’s commitment to LAUTECH, saying there were efforts to meet other conditions that will lead to LAUTECH reopening.

Reacting to this development, the ASUU chairman in the school, Olaniran Biodun, said “What we are asking is beyond salary, but how the varsity will be funded. But once the money has been paid then we can change our stance and reconsider for the sake of students, but that will also come with a letter on how we will fund the varsity”.

He added: “Personally, in my own view and not that of ASUU, with the money being paid, then the crisis will be over soon.

“What we clamoured for is commitment and if they have shown commitment then the varsity will be reopened soon, once the money is paid out”.

The Oyo state Government had earlier promised to pay two months’ salary arrears to LAUTECH lecturers to enable the reopening of the school.

The school was closed in June 2016 over disagreements on how to finance the varsity.

OJUELEGBA FIRE OUTBREAK

 A two-year-old boy has been reported dead following a fire incident that gutted a flat at Ojuelegba in Lagos State on Thursday.

The parents and two sisters of the deceased, who were rushed to the hospital after the incident, are reported to have become unconscious. Rasak Fadipe, director, Lagos State Fire Service, confirmed the tragic incident in an interview with NAN. Fadipe said the tragedy occurred at 11,  Atan Street, Ojuelegba, Lagos, saying they got call around 6am.

He said at the time they arrived at the three storey building, the first floor that was housing the victims was in flame. “Before we got there, people in the area have been able to evacuate the family members out of the building unconscious due to fumes inhaling,” he said.

“The children: two girls and a boy of ages 8, 5 and 2 were taken to LUTH, while parents taken to a private hospital. “Unfortunately, the boy died at the hospital. We went to see the victims at the hospital.” He advised residents against erecting burglaries that would be dangerous to the occupants of such high rise buildings.

The director also called for the installation of fire-fighting equipment at homes and public places for emergency operations.

Days of undergraduate

Gone are the days when your mates in school appreciate the skills in your hand and which you can improve and inspire more in that skill. Days of over night drawing with a pencil on the left hand and a torch on the right hand... Overnight inspiration

MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES BY DR MAHFOUZ ADEDIMEJI

*MAKE HAY WHILE THE SUN SHINES*

Dr. Mahfouz Adedimeji
 January 18, 2017.

One of the most emotional faces of a frustrated man that I remember happened about three years ago. I was accosted on a windy afternoon by a man who wanted to know his chances of furthering his education at my place. After one or two questions, I told him why he was not qualified, the main reason for which was that he had a Third Class degree.

His explanation that he had one or two postgraduate diplomas did not help as I explained that such qualifications might be put into consideration in future but the regulation in use does not support such now. He soon wore the look of someone who had lost his family and life investment to a fire incident.

He restrained tears as he said, “For how long will I continue to pay for the sin of having a Third Class? Everywhere I go, my Third Class is a hindrance. What is the meaning of all this, my God? Where do I go from here? I can’t get a job and I can’t still further my education!”

I empathised with him as his forlorn look and melancholic stare probed into my soul. His words struck me like an arrow. He sounded intelligent but he could not make much headway in educational and career life because of how he spent his average of four years in the University, simplicita.

Unfortunately, many people still find themselves in his shoes as everything is becoming more competitive with little room left for the under-achieving. Students are especially vulnerable. The only good thing is that for every student, the situation of the man narrated can be averted with some seriousness now. The opportunity of being a student is for a short period. Make hay while the sun shines because a stitch in time saves nine but no stitch at all saves time.

Malcolm X famously said, “Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” Many students do not plan for or think of their future and just allow the four important years that will shape their lives to fritter way. Many are obsessed with socialising and getting distracted, at the expense of their primary assignment in school. They eventually manage to graduate without (much) honours.

It is at the labour market that reality begins to dawn as many gates are closed against them. They begin to regret that if they had utilised their time very well, at least they would have been more competitive as many employers would these days specify the minimum class of degree they want. Usually, Third Class is ruled out. And it won’t be possible to roll back the hands of the clock and earn a better result.

There is no way anyone who passes his O’ level exams and gets qualified for university education should not make an average grade on graduation. The main factor for which students fail or graduate with poor grades is lack of seriousness or misplacement of priorities. If you attend your lectures punctually, do your assignments religiously and comport yourself morally, it is difficult to fail, especially when you still put God first.

As another year begins and another opportunity for recalibrating unfolds, it is important to make hay because diamonds are not forever. The nine months spent in the mother’s womb can have a long-lasting effect on the baby’s health throughout life. A careless mother risks a life-long damage for her unborn child through wrong choices and unhealthy lifestyle.

Similarly, a student who spends his school years pursuing pleasure, chasing shadows, making friends and “stabbing” lectures soon realises that his destiny is shaped and his future is altered by his record of academic performance. It is very important that one makes use of the opportunity before it slips by. You won’t be a student forever but your undergraduate years will go a long way, to some extent, in determining your future.

Regardless of the situation of the country, the problems of the society and the challenges that make life hellish for many students, let your own resolve and faith be akin to Abraham Lincoln’s own: “I will study and prepare, and someday my opportunity will come.”

So, do your best now and leave the rest. Afterwards, whatever happens is fine or at least a blessing in  disguise.

CONDITIONS OF LAA ILAHA ILLA ALLÂH

• Al-'Ilm {Knowledge} : with the meaning of negation and affirmation
  
• Al-Yaqeen {Certainty} : the completeness of knowledge by it, it negates doubt and conjecture
  
• Al-Ikhlass {Sincerity} : which negates shirk (polytheism)
  
• As-Sidq {Honesty} : negates falsehood, it prevents the falling into hypocrisy
  
• Al-Mahabbah {Love} : of this word (laa ilaha illa Allâh) and what proves it to be content with that
  
• Al-Inqiyaad {Submission} : to its rights and it is to do the obligatory and deeds sincerely that the of Allâh seeking His pleasure
  
• Al-Qubool {Acceptance}: which negates rejection.
  

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE

Life is a learning curve and the challenges are there to make us stronger, to condition us and build us emotionally, spiritually and physically for the greater challenges that we will encounter tomorrow. Outwardly circumstances may be perceived as hardships but in reality they may really be BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE. 
There is a blessing in calamity that the wise man should not ignore, for it erases sins, gives one the opportunity to attain the reward of patience, dispels negligence, reminds one of the blessings at the time of health, calls one to repent and encourages one to give charity and endure.