I study highly successful people for a living. Here are 11 little habits they practice every day

 

Here are 11 little life changes that highly successful people practice every day:

1. They seek discomfort.

Instead of just striving to learn, aim to feel uncomfortable. Pursuing discomfort sets you on a faster path to growth. If you want to get it right, it has to feel wrong first.

2. They set a mistake budget.

To encourage trial and error, set a goal for the minimum number of mistakes you want to make per day or per week. When you expect to stumble, you ruminate about it less — and improve more.

3. They ask for advice, not feedback.

Feedback is backward-looking — it leads people to criticize you or cheer for you. Advice is forward-looking — it leads people to coach you.

You can get your critics and cheerleaders to act more like coaches by asking a simple question: “What’s one thing I can do better next time

4. They figure out which sources to trust.

Decide what information is worth absorbing — and which should be filtered out. Listen to the coaches who have relevant expertise (credibility), know you well (familiarity), and want what’s best for you (care).

5. They strive for excellence, not perfection.

Progress comes from maintaining high standards, not eliminating every flaw. Identify some shortcomings that you can accept. Consider where you truly need the best and where you can settle for good enough.

At the end of the day, ask yourself: Did you make yourself better? Did you make someone else better?

6. They are their own last judge.

It’s better to disappoint others than to disappoint yourself. Before you release something into the world, assess whether it represents you well. If this was the only work people saw of yours, would you be proud of it?

 

7. They turn the daily grind into a source of daily joy.

To maintain harmonious passion, design practice around deliberate play. Set up fun skill-building challenges — like Steph Curry trying to score 21 points in a minute, or medical residents honing their nonverbal communication skills by using nonsense words in improv comedy games.

8. When they’re stuck, they back up to move forward.

When you hit a dead-end, it might be time to turn around and find a new path. It feels like regressing, but it’s often the only way to find a route to progress.

9. They teach what they want to learn.

The best way to learn something is to teach it. You understand it better after you explain it — and you remember it better after you take the time to recall it. You can do this in groups, with each member teaching a distinct skill or slice of information.

10. They open doors for people who are underrated and overlooked.

Create systems that invest in and create opportunities for all — not just gifted students or high-potential employees. A good system gives underdogs and late bloomers the chance to show how far they’ve come.

11. They engage in mental time travel. 

When you’re struggling to appreciate your progress, consider how your past self would view your current achievements. If you knew five years ago what you’d accomplish now, how proud would you have been?

    

Tinubu takes investment push, diplomatic expansion to Saudi, Arab nations

 

According to the President’s spokesman, the events are targeted at different areas of interests, but noted that the outings are going to be critical to how Nigeria takes advantage of the projected potentials of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), market.

He said the Saudi-African Summit’s target will be exploring issues around the economic ties between Africa and Saudi Arabia, including counter-terrorism, agriculture, environment and other areas of mutual concern.

  For the second, being the Arab-African Summit, according to Ngelale, will be focusing on expanding infrastructure between both regions and will particularly be paying attention to the establishment of a new high-speed train network between the Arab League of Nations and the African Union countries.

His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will be heading to Riyadh, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to attend two major summits. The first of which is the Saudi-Africa Summit, at which several areas of mutual concern will be addressed with respect to the economic ties between the regions with respect to the issues of counterterrorism, the environment, agriculture, and many other areas of mutual concern, where we feel much more can be done in terms of accelerating the level of trade and investment between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the African continent.

“Obviously, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is very keen on ensuring that the Federal Republic of Nigeria, within the context of the continent, is in a position to maximally leverage on opportunities that will be afforded by the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, where we will be having a single trade market of over one billion Africans, the expectation, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, is that by the year 2050, our market here on the continent would have surpassed $29 trillion. We believe that action toward that begins now.

“So the President is going to be very active and leading that effort from the forefront. That will be holding on November 10, followed by a very important summit. That is the Arab-African Summit holding on November 11, where His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu in his capacity, not just as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but also as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of Government, will be taking part in the summit, ensuring that he is at the forefront of advocating for really a deepening partnership of the two regions, that is the League of Arab Nations as well as the African Union, with respect to how we can integrate in terms of our infrastructure, how we can facilitate the establishment of a new high speed train network that would league that would tie Arab nations from the Middle East and Northern Africa, to the rest of the African continent”, he said.

FIFA World Rankings June 2023: Top 10 nations

 The FIFA World Rankings for June 2023 is out. Ever since the 2022 FIFA World Cup drew to a close, we haven't had much international footballing action. As a result, there hasn't been a whole lot of movement in the FIFA World Rankings since the start of the year.

But players have been on international duty of late and national teams have been in action in June. FIFA have now released the latest rankings for the month of June 2023.

The complex algorithm used to determine the rankings considers the outcomes of international matches spanning the last four years, giving greater importance to the more recent matches.

FIFA uses this system to seed teams for major international tournaments, such as the World Cup and regional championships.

Without further ado, let's take a look at the FIFA World Rankings for June 2023.

---

#10 Spain - 1703.45 points

Spain have only managed to maintain their spot at 10th in the FIFA World Rankings despite winning the UEFA Nations League. They beat Italy 2-1 in the semi-final before putting Croatia to the sword via a shootout in the final.

La Roja gained 20.60 points in the month of June and are clear of the USA at 11th by 30 points. New coach Luis de la Fuente will be hoping to restore the Spanish national team to its old glory in the near future and he has a squad that's capable of pulling off the spectacular

A

9 Portugal - 1718.25 points

Portugal are also unmoved in the FIFA World Rankings as they retain their place at ninth. They were eliminated from the 2022 FIFA World Cup in the quarter-final stage by Morocco but are unbeaten in the four matches they've played since.

In June, Portugal thrashed Bosnia and Herzegovina 3-0 before edging past Iceland 1-0. They currently have 1718.25 rating points.

---

#8 Italy - 1726.58 points

After failing to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, reigning European champions Italy are undergoing a rebuild of sorts. The old guard has stepped down and young players have taken centre stage.

Italy suffered a 2-1 loss to Spain in the semi-final of the UEFA Nations League earlier this month before beating the Netherlands 3-2 in a thrilling encounter to clinch third place in the competition. They've gained 12.92 rating points since the last edition and maintain their place at eighth.

---

#7 Netherlands - 1731.23 points

The Netherlands are going through a rough patch of sorts and have lost four of their last five matches across all competitions. They were knocked out of the UEFA Nations League in the semi-final stage by Croatia and they lost the match for third place against Italy as well.

Ronald Koeman's side has gained zero points since the last edition of the FIFA World Rankings and has slipped to seventh.

---

#6 Croatia - 1742.55 points

It has been a story of almosts for the Croatian national team in recent times. They were beaten in the final and the semi-finals of the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups respectively. They made it to the final of the UEFA Nations League this year but unfortunately fell to Spain on penalties to miss out on yet another major trophy.

But the Croats gained 12.53 rating points and climbed to sixth in the rankings.

---

#5 Belgium - 1788.55 points

Belgium spent over three years at the top of the FIFA World Rankings between 2018 and 2022. But their golden generation is past their prime and it hasn't been smooth sailing for the Red Devils of late.

They were held to a draw by Austria in the first of their two Euro qualifiers in June. Belgium subsequently managed to beat Estonia 3-0. Overall, they dropped 3.98 rating points to slip to fifth from fourth in the rankings.

---

#4 England - 1797.39 points

England have done a very good job in recent times and that's reflected in the FIFA World Rankings now. The Three Lions registered two dominant victories in June, beating Malta 4-0 before thumping North Macedonia 7-0 in two Euro qualifying matches.

England have an extremely talented squad and a host of young players who are yet to reach their prime. They are definitely one of the teams to put your money on in the future.

#3 Brazil - 1828.27 points

Brazil haven't done very well since Tite resigned as manager following their 2022 FIFA World Cup exit. They've lost two of their last three friendlies. Their two outings in June ended in a win and a loss. They beat Guinea 4-1 before falling 4-2 to Senegal.

Brazil lost 5.94 points but have managed to remain at third in the rankings.

---

#2 France - 1843.54 points

France are one of the most dominant football teams of the 21st century. Since finishing as runners-up at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, they have won all four of their UEFA Euro qualifiers and have gained 5.09 rating points to retain their place at second in the FIFA World Rankings.

France beat Gibraltar 3-0 and Greece 1-0 in their latest outings in June.

---

#1 Argentina - 1843.73

Reigning world champions Argentina have managed to just about retain their place at the summit of the FIFA World Rankings. They have 0.20 points more than France. La Albiceleste played two friendlies in June.

They beat Australia and Indonesia by the same 2-0 scoreline. Lionel Scaloni's side picked up 2.8 rating points

Consumers, traders lament as tomato, pepper scarcity hits markets

 There is a rising anxiety over the worsening scarcity of tomatoes and peppers in most parts of the country, with consumers and sellers adducing different reasons for the scarcity.

While traders lament low patronage, consumers lament the scarcity and high prices.

Farmers and traders who spoke with Saturday PUNCH highlighted the ravaging Tuta Absoluta, popularly known as tomato ebola; fuel subsidy removal and its effect on transportation; and the rainy season as major reasons behind the scarcity of the commodity and its sudden disappearance from markets.

A tomato seller in Mowe, Ogun State, Mrs Abiodun Farayola, who spoke with one of our correspondents on Friday, said although the scarcity of tomato and pepper was relatively an annual experience, the removal of the petrol subsidy and increased fuel price had made them more expensive.

She said, “Tomato and pepper are now expensive because of the high fuel prices as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy. These food items are transported from the North to the South and the transporters make use of trucks which are dependent on fuel, so they added their fuel expenses to the cost of transporting tomatoes and pepper.

“Almost every year, there is usually a period where tomatoes go out of season and become scarce. That one is normal. But this year, things have been different because of the fuel hike which has led to an increase in food prices.

Similarly, traders in the popular Mile 12 market in Lagos, explained that the subsidy removal and rainy season contributed immensely to the disappearance of the commodities.

A trader, Abdullahi Musa, who sells tomatoes and pepper in baskets in the market, said, “It is not our fault that tomatoes are expensive now. Transportation from the North to Lagos has doubled, more so the rains damage most of the produce harvested, so the quantity coming into the state is limited.

“The rainy season has caused us great losses as harvested tomatoes and pepper perish once they come in contact with water. There is nothing we can do until the season passes.”

Another seller at Ojodu, Lagos, Bilikis Oluyode, lamented that the subsidy removal was choking her business. She said a bowl of tomatoes which was formally sold to her at N3,500 at a local market in Ibadan had increased to N6,000.

She added that patronage had also reduced over time as customers’ demand for tomato and pepper had dropped.

Saturday PUNCH gathered that a basket of tomatoes was now selling for N40,000 as against N23,000 at the beginning of the year.

A crate of tomatoes sold for N24,000 as against the initial N7,000, while a paint bucket size had risen to N4,500 from N1,000.

Scotch bonnet pepper, popularly called ata rodo, were shaded in small bowls, each was sold for N1,000 as against N500 a few months ago.

Top 4 habits that will keep you young

 Ageing is an inevitable process and as we spend more time on earth, we add years to our chronological age. Not all people age in the same way though and a few are able to remain younger for long. You may have seen people in their 50s and 60s who are as radiant and active as people few decades younger to them. While ageing cannot be stopped, the plateau may be achieved by following certain lifestyle habits that can keep one energetic, active and young. (Also read: Father's Day: Dads, lose your belly fat with these simple lifestyle 

As we age, many processes that take happen in our cells may see a deterioration. The cells suffer wear and tear and are unable to communicate well with each other. If this process of damage of cells is slowed down and they continue to work as efficiently as before, the ageing process can also slow down.

Keeping yourself active throughout and day and finding time for exercise is the best way to slow down ageing. Sedentary lifestyle on the other hand can speed up ageing and make one susceptible to heart attack, diabetes, cancer, dementia and even early death. Eating a balanced diet and skipping sugar-laden and fatty food is another healthy habit that could keep you young and healthy till old age.

Nutritionist Karishma Shah in her recent Instagram post says eating wholesome foods, staying active with invigorating exercises, prioritizing quality sleep, practicing mindfulness for stress reduction, and embracing a positive mindset can help slow down ageing.

Shah adds that these habits will empower one to age gracefully and enjoy a lifetime of vitality.

Here are the habits that can enhance your well-being and longevity as suggested by Shah.

1. Regular physical activity

Engage in regular exercise for cardiovascular health and overall fitness. Include both cardiovascular exercises and strength training.

2. Balanced and nutritious diet

Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Limit processed foods and sugary snacks.

3. Quality sleep

Aim for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. Create a conducive sleep environment and establish a consistent sleep routine

lf-care and find activities that help you relax.

4. Social connections and mental stimulation

Maintain strong social connection with family and friends. Engage in mentally stimulating activities and hobbies

If someone displays these 8 traits, they’re a really lovely person

 

Ever met someone who makes you feel good just by being around them?

They’re the kind of people who light up a room and make everything seem a bit better.

You might wonder, “What makes them so special?” Well, it’s not about how they look or what they have. It’s about how they behave and treat others.

Being a lovely person is all about showing certain qualities, like kindness, understanding, and a positive spirit. These are the things that make a person truly charming and delightful to be around.

In this article, we’re going to talk about twelve things that make a person lovely.

If you’re curious about what these traits are or want to become a lovelier person yourself, stick around.

Because who wouldn’t want to be the kind of person who makes the world a better place, right?

 

1. Empathy: The Power of Understanding

The first trait on our list is empathy. This is all about being able to understand other people’s feelings.

Lovely people are experts at this. They listen carefully when someone else is speaking and they can put themselves in the other person’s shoes.

They don’t just hear what you’re saying, they really understand where you’re coming from.

And here’s the thing: when you’re talking to someone who’s genuinely empathetic, you can feel it.

You know that they care about you and your feelings. You feel respected, valued, and heard.

 If you’re happy about something, they’ll be happy with you. They share your emotions, and this makes you feel connected to them.

So, the next time you’re around someone who just seems to “get” you, pay attention. They’re probably showing empathy, one of the key traits that make a person truly lovely.

2. Optimism: Seeing the Bright Side

Optimism, the second trait that makes a person lovely, is all about seeing the good in everything. But let me tell you about my friend, Laura. She is the embodiment of optimism and I think her story can help explain this trait a bit better.

Laura has this amazing ability to always look on the bright side, even when things are tough. I remember one time when we were planning a beach trip, but it started raining cats and dogs just as we were about to leave.

While the rest of us were groaning about our ruined plans, Laura just smiled and said, “Well, now we can have that movie marathon we’ve been talking about!”

She didn’t ignore the problem or pretend to be happy. But she found something positive to focus on, and this changed the whole mood of the group.

We ended up having a fantastic day indoors, watching movies, and munching on popcorn.

This is what optimists do. They acknowledge the reality of a situation but they choose to focus on the good parts.

They are the ones who find silver linings in every cloud and who can cheer you up when you’re feeling down.

Their positive attitude is contagious and this makes them really lovely to be around.

So, if you come across someone who always has a positive outlook and can find joy even in the simplest of things, chances are you’ve met someone truly lovely.

3. Authenticity: Being Real, Being You

Our third trait might be a little surprising. It’s not about always being happy or always being nice. It’s about being real. It’s about being authentic

You see, lovely people aren’t lovely because they’re perfect. They’re lovely because they’re honest about who they are, warts and all.

They don’t try to pretend to be someone they’re not just to impress others. They don’t hide their mistakes or their flaws. Instead, they own them.

They understand that being human means being imperfect, and they’re okay with that.

This raw honesty makes them trustworthy and relatable. You don’t have to guess what they’re really thinking or feeling because they’ll tell you.

They won’t sugarcoat the truth or tell you what you want to hear. They’ll tell you what they really think, in the kindest way possible.

 But being authentic also means being true to their values. They stand up for what they believe in, even when it’s hard.

They treat others with respect and kindness, not because they’re trying to be nice, but because that’s who they are.

So, here’s the thing. Being lovely isn’t about being flawless. It’s about being real.

If you meet someone who isn’t afraid to show their true colors, who values honesty over pretense, who is brave enough to be themselves in a world that’s constantly trying to mold them, you’ve probably met a really lovely person.

4. Gratitude: Appreciating the Little Things

Number four on our list is gratitude, a trait that truly lovely people often display. They are the kind of people who, no matter what their circumstances, find something to be thankful for.

 Whether it’s the beauty of a sunset, a good book, a delicious meal, or a chat with a friend, they know how to cherish and appreciate the small joys of life.

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you,” although lovely people do that a lot, too. It’s about adopting an attitude of appreciation, about recognizing the good things in life, and not taking them for granted. It’s about focusing on what you have, not on what you lack.

When you’re around someone who’s genuinely grateful, it’s hard not to feel a bit happier and more positive yourself.

 Their appreciation for life is infectious. It serves as a gentle reminder to appreciate the beauty of the world around us, and the small joys that each day brings.

So, the next time you encounter someone who seems to appreciate life’s simple pleasures, and who regularly expresses their thankfulness for the blessings in their life, you’re likely in the company of a truly lovely person

 

5. Patience: The Virtue of Calm

Patience, our fifth trait, is often regarded as a virtue, and for good reason. Lovely people have this incredible ability to remain calm and composed, even when things aren’t going their way.

They don’t easily get frustrated or upset when dealing with difficult situations or people. Instead, they display understanding, grace, and yes, patience.

But let’s add a little twist to this with an interesting fact. Did you know that patience is actually good for your health?

 Research has shown that patient people tend to experience less depression and negative emotions.

They also have better physical health, likely because they’re not constantly stressed about making things happen right away.

And that’s not all. Patience also contributes to positive social interactions. Patient people are more likely to be empathetic, forgiving, and generous.

They listen, they wait, they give others the time they need. They understand that good things take time, and they’re willing to wait.

So, when you encounter someone who doesn’t rush, who takes the time to listen, who can wait without complaining, and who doesn’t let the pressures of time ruffle their feathers, you’ve likely met someone lovely.

Their patience not only benefits them but also makes the world around them a more peaceful place.

6. Humility: The Grace of Modesty

The sixth trait that makes a person lovely is humility. This is a quality that’s all about being modest and grounded, no matter how successful or knowledgeable you are. And I have a perfect example to share with you.

I remember meeting my old college friend, Jake, at a reunion. Back in college, Jake was just an average student, but he always had big dreams.

He worked hard, stayed focused, and eventually, he made it big in the tech industry. He was a self-made millionaire before he even turned 30.

When I met him at the reunion, I expected him to be different, maybe a little arrogant or showy, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Jake was just as modest and down-to-earth as he was back in college. He didn’t flaunt his success or look down on others.

Instead, he listened more than he spoke, asked about our lives, and shared his journey with a lot of gratitude.

This is what humility looks like. It’s not about downplaying your achievements, but about acknowledging that you didn’t get there alone.

It’s about being grounded and valuing others, no matter where you stand.

Lovely people, like Jake, are humble. They show respect, they appreciate others, and they don’t let success get to their head.

So if you meet someone who’s achieved a lot but hasn’t let it change their heart, you’ve likely met someone truly lovely.

7. Generosity: The Joy of Giving

Our seventh trait is generosity, a quality that goes beyond just giving money or gifts. Generous people share their time, their energy, their knowledge, and their kindness.

They are always ready to help others and they do it joyfully, without expecting anything in return.

Now, here’s an interesting fact.

Did you know that being generous can actually make you happier?

Scientific studies have shown that the act of giving activates the “reward center” in our brains, releasing endorphins and creating what is known as the “helper’s high”.

So, in a way, the more you give, the happier you become.

Generous people understand this. They take joy in lifting others up and making a positive difference in their lives.

They give freely because they know that what goes around comes around.

They understand that their kindness might inspire others to be kind as well, creating a ripple effect of generosity and goodness.

So, if you encounter someone who is always ready to help, who shares their resources, time, and energy willingly, and who finds joy in giving, you’re probably in the company of a truly lovely person.

Their generosity doesn’t just benefit those they help, but it also spreads happiness and fosters a spirit of giving in the community.

8. Resilience: The Strength Within

Trait number eight is resilience, and it’s a big one. Lovely people aren’t just sunshine and rainbows all the time.

They have their fair share of struggles, just like everyone else. They experience pain, they face obstacles, they stumble and fall. But here’s what sets them apart: they keep going.

Resilience is all about bouncing back from adversity. It’s about picking yourself up after a fall, dusting off the dirt, and pressing on with even more determination. It’s about facing challenges head-on and not letting them break you.

Now, let’s be honest. Being resilient is tough. It’s not easy to keep your head high when life keeps throwing punches.

It’s not easy to remain hopeful when things seem hopeless. But that’s the beauty of resilience.

It shows the strength of the human spirit. It’s the glowing ember within that refuses to be put out, no matter how strong the winds blow.

So, if you see someone who keeps forging ahead, who doesn’t let their struggles define them, who finds the courage to keep going even when the going gets tough, you’re looking at a truly lovely person.

Their resilience doesn’t just inspire us, but it also reminds us of our own hidden strength.

FG Okays Vehicle Importation Via Land Borders

 The federal government may have lifted the ban on importation of vehicles through the land borders, it has been revealed....

Daily Trust reports that the last administration had closed land borders between Nigeria and Cotonou, Benin Republic, and subsequently banned the importation of vehicles through that axis.

The Director of Road Transport in the Ministry of Transportation, Ibrahim Musa, yesterday, however, disclosed that the federal government has approved the re-opening of the Seme border for the importation of vehicles.

CBN Sets N15k Limit for Contactless Payments

 Central Bank Nigeria Sets N15k Limit for Contactless Payments 

Main Key Points:

1. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sets N15,000 limit for each contactless payment.
2. Customers can spend up to N50,000 daily without entering their PIN or biometric info.
3. For bigger payments, normal “Know Your Customer” rules apply.

Table of Contents

• Central Bank’s New Rule
• The Reason for the Rule
• The Purpose of the New Rule
• In Conclusion

Central Bank’s New Rule

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has shared a new rule for contactless payments in the country. This rule starts from June 27, 2023.

Gatekeepers News tells us that the main bank has said that contactless payments in Nigeria will have a limit of N15,000 for each payment. Also, the most you can spend in a day is N50,000.

 

The Reason for the Rule

The goal of this rule is to make contactless payments safer and more convenient. Contactless payments use Near Field Communication (NFC) and Quick Response (QR) codes. These help customers to pay without touching the payment terminal or the merchant.

However, if a contactless payment is more than these limits, customers must give the right verification and authorization. They might need to enter their PIN or biometric info.

CBN has said that for these bigger payments, the normal “Know Your Customer” rules and limits will be used.

Also, if contactless payments are more than N50,000 in a day, customers must use contact-based technology. This means putting in or swiping the card on the payment terminal.

The Purpose of the New Rule

The CBN has said that the new payment limits go with its mission to make a safe and efficient payment system in Nigeria. The bank wants to protect the interests of consumers and other people in the industry.

The CBN also shared detailed rules about contactless payments in Nigeria.

Part of the statement said, “After giving the Rules on Contactless Payments in Nigeria and seeing the risks, the Bank now defines limits for transactions. These are the amounts where verification and authorization are needed. The limits for contactless payments in Nigeria are:

• Daily Limit – N15,000
• Maximum Amount – N50,000

Payments that are more than these limits will need the right verification and authorization. The normal “Know Your Customer” rules and limits will apply for these. Anything above this daily limit must be done using contact-based technology.”

In Conclusion

CBN’s new rule means that people can now make contactless payments easily and safely. But they must remember the limits. For each payment, the limit is N15,000, and the most you can spend in one day is N50,000. For bigger payments, customers must follow the normal rules. This new rule is a big step in making payments safer and more convenient in Nigeria.