Books, Wisdom, and Insight Archives - University of Success

Dec 31, 2020

Surviving Betrayal: A New Book by Dr. Albert Oduwole

Surviving Betrayal About two years ago, I had a special privilege to interview a renowned Pastor, Inspirational Coach, Author and Business Consultant: Dr. Albert Femi Oduwole.

In that interview, the upwardly mobile Founding Pastor of Triumphant Assembly, revealed secrets of success in life and ministry. I was excited to hear of his latest book: Surviving Betrayal.

Curious, I decided to reach out to him on the motivation behind this rare, but powerful title. The result was this interesting interview. Enjoy.

“Surviving betrayal” what was your motivation for writing this book, sir?

The motivation behind this book is my realization that everyone gets betrayed but only a few survive it.

“The question is never ‘will I be betrayed’ but ‘do I know enough to bounce back from betrayal’? – Anonymous.

The truth is, nobody can teach you how to avoid betrayal, you can only be taught how to survive it.

‘BETRAY’. The word is an eighth of an inch above ‘betroth’ in the dictionary, but a world from betroth in life. It’s a weapon found only in the hands of the one you love. Your enemy has no such tool, for only a friend can betray. Betrayal is mutiny. It’s a violation of trust, always an inside job.” – Max Lucado

Nobody is immune from betrayal, it is either you have been betrayed or you are being betrayed or you will be betrayed.
In explaining how betrayal affects you in chapter 3 I wrote,

BETRAYAL MAKES YOU FEEL STUPID AND DOUBT YOURSELF
“It was a mistake,” you said. But the cruel thing was, it felt like the mistake was mine, for trusting you.” David Levithan (The Lover’s Dictionary).

Betrayal leads to self-doubt. You will keep wondering on why you have been so ‘seemingly’ stupid enough to have trusted and failed to discern the disloyalty.

Perhaps you’ve heard the story about the little swallow. It was covering one eye with its wing and crying bitterly. An owl flew by and asked, “Little bird, what’s wrong?” The swallow pulled away its wing and showed a gash where once it had an eye. “Now I understand,” hooted the owl, blinking, “You’re crying because the crow pecked out your eye!” “No,” replied the bird sadly, “I’m not crying because the crow pecked out my eye; I’m crying because I let him.”

You are likely to have forgotten that hindsight is always perfect and that people wiser, greater and more spiritual than you have also experienced betrayal at one point or the other.

What are the major highlights of in this book?

This book gives insights into the following and more:

Understanding betrayal
Here I explained the 5 kinds of betrayal.
5 worst betrayal stories of all times
Why betrayal hurts
5 reasons why betrayal hurts, why many keep crying, lamenting etc for years after the act.
Why people betray
10 various reasons why people betray from nurture to nature and everything in between Surviving betrayal
3 definite proven tools to overcome betrayal
What to do if you are the one that betrayed
Then there’s a chapter for them that are the one that betrayed

WHENEVER I ANNOUNCE the topic of this book, people are always interested. They are quick to point out they have been betrayed before. I find it amusing that hardly do people confess they have betrayed others. Betrayal has two faces!

If many alive have been betrayed, it also means betrayers are equally many; hence the reason for this chapter. It is always great to study men that have walked the ways we are tending to trend and see how they end up.

The good book says
‘Those who betray their own friends leave a legacy of abuse to their children.’ Job 17:5.

Is betrayal a normal experience life?

It is so common. Here’s a powerful quotation by Sherrilyn Kenyon in Invincible.

“Everyone suffers at least one bad betrayal in their lifetime. It’s what unites us. The trick is not to let it destroy your trust in others when that happens. Don’t let them take that from you.”

/be·tray·al bəˈtrāəl, bēˈtrāəl/ noun.
Betrayal is the action of betraying one’s country, a group, or a person. Synonyms: disloyalty, treachery, bad faith, faithlessness, falseness, duplicity, deception, double-dealing; breach of faith, breach of trust, stab in the back; double-cross, sell-out; perfidy.

Betrayal is everywhere. Betrayal in relationships. Betrayal in workplace. Betrayal in family. Betrayal in ministry. There are tales of acts of betrayal strewn all over and its stings hurt many years after it has taken place. Betrayal is as old as the earth though there seems to be greater increase in recent times.

What should readers expect from reading this book?

It is my attempt to make sure that betrayal does not destroy you. As I wrote in one of the chapters :

DON’T LET BETRAYAL DO THIS TO YOU
WHATEVER YOU COME in contact with has a way of rubbing off on you. Like some specially-concocted perfumes, their fragrance just wouldn’t wear off. They last and last and seem to ooze from your very breath. In the same way, having been betrayed, if great care is not taken; betrayal can leave negative indelible marks on your life.
Mimicking the pattern of Paul the Apostle’s letters; ‘I beseech you therefore brethren, not to allow betrayal do the under-listed to you’.

In another chapter I explained,

Do not let betrayal destroy you. It has destroyed many marital dreams, political ambitions, etc. Betrayal can either leave you bitter or better. The choice is yours. Even if betrayal has devastated your past or present, it must not be allowed to destroy your future. It’s time to draw the line between a betrayed past and a better future.
Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Thank you, sir

You are welcome.

This book is available on Amazon, order your copy today, HERE

Meet the Interviewer

PS: Your feedback is important to us, please leave a comment.

Felix A. Duyilemi is a Greatness and Leadership Coach who specializes in helping people create extraordinary results by becoming aware of their infinite potential. He is the creator of the 1000X Results Coaching Program, a Coaching Program designed to skyrocket your results.

Felix A. Duyilemi has written over 15 books and given more than 5000 talks on subjects ranging from Success Ideation, Mindset, Leadership, and Potential Maximization. His latest book is “How to Monetize Your Brain.”

When he’s not learning, coaching, or speaking, he’s at home enjoying the company of his amazing family!

Reach him at [email protected]

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Jun 1, 2020

Can You Write A Book in One Hour?

When I read a book, I see its Author- Duyilemi A. Felix.

My intention in this article is very simple: to make you an author. If you have ever wanted to write a book, here is a huge opportunity for you!

Don’t think you have to write several pages to become an author. In fact, you don’t even need a publisher to publish this book. You don’t need an editor to edit it. You are the writer, the publisher, the editor and the marketer of this book. It’s your book. It’s your life book. Just write the way you like. Write it with freedom. It’s your book. It’s your story.

Let me endeavor to give you the outline for your book. Let it contain:

A Vision Statement.

A mission statement.

A life Value Statement.

This book will become like a personal map of your life, a blueprint of some sort. The Title of this book is your name. Yes, your name.

A vision statement is a statement of your purpose in life. It should involve “what” you are created to do “how” you will do it and “where” you are created to do it. The “what” tells you the purpose, the “how” answers what channel? And the “where” defines the scope. Your vision statement should not be more than two sentences at most. It should be easy to read at a glance.

Example: Chris Lofton is a blessing to the people of Africa through medical breakthroughs that increase the lifespan of Africans to the glory of God.

The purpose: To increase the lifespan of Africans.

The Channel: Through medical breakthroughs or discoveries

The Scope: The continent of Africa.

The mission statement is the present tense description of the activities you undertake to accomplish your mission. Your mission statement describes what you do with your vision statement. Your mission statement should be more elaborate;

Example, using the example of Chris Lofton’s vision statement above: I am Chris Lofton, a medical doctor; I am a specialist in neuro-surgery with several medical discoveries that have increased the lifespan of Africans by 40%. Several lives have been impacted and blessed through my skills to which I feel deeply grateful to God.

The mission statement evokes feelings; more detailed and described activities in the present tense form. That is how you should write your mission statement. This will give you the positive feelings that your vision statement is already accomplished. It’s not a description of uncertainty, but of certainty!

Your Value Statement, your personal book should also have a description of value statement. Values are what we hold dear in life. They define us. They establish our boundaries. They raise our standards. The Bible is an important book where we should get our values in life. Values like integrity, loyalty, respect for authority, punctuality, honesty, respect for spouse, fidelity and so on, are ingredients of a well lived life. I will encourage you to make your value statement descriptive. If you pick a certain quality as value, write a brief description as to why you consider that value important to you. I will show you that in my own personal book.

HERE IS MY OWN LITTLE BOOK( I only share it with people like you!)

Book Title: Duyilemi Akindele Felix

Author; Duyilemi Akindele Felix

Year published: June, 1st, 2020

Dedication

To God in whom I live, move and have my being.

Acknowledgment.

I want to appreciate everyone reading this. Thank you.

Vision Statement: I am a blessing to the world through my ministries, books, public appearances, Radio and Television programs to the glory of God.

My Purpose: To be a blessing to the world.

My Channels: Through my ministries, books, public appearances, Radio and Television programs etc.

My Scope: The whole world (Don’t tell me that is not possible!)

My Mission Statement: Duyilemi Akindele Felix is a successful father and husband, an international acclaimed minister of God, a best-selling Author and Adviser to heads of nations around the world. He’s the Pastor of the life-changing church, Christ Classic International Ministries, with networks of ministries around the world. His life and messages have directly affected over 3 billion people around the world! He’s indeed a colossal inspiration to the world to the glory of God.

My Value Statement:

My governing values are influenced by the Bible, here are they:

1.I AM ALWAYS POSITIVE: I always stay positive irrespective of my present situation because God’s word says “All things work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purpose.” I therefore remain positive in all situations knowing that I will come out at the other end with testimonies.

2.I AM ALWAYS STRIVING TO DO THE WILL OF GOD. I know that God is pleased when I do His will. I know that God’s will is best for me.

3.I WALK IN INTEGRITY. Integrity defines the quality of life. I therefore walk in integrity before God and men. I say what I meant and I meant what I say. Bible says of David that he “Shepherd with the integrity of heart and skillfulness of hands”

4.I AM A GIVER. The Bible says, “It’s better to give than to receive” I therefore endeavor to give at all times. I am constantly thinking of ways to help people around me.

5.I VALUE PEOPLE. If people are important to God, they are to me. I therefore value people irrespective of their social statuses. I value my team and associates, listening to their opinions, praise their efforts and reward their performances.

6.I AM A GREAT HUSBAND. The Bible enjoins husbands to love their wives. I give myself selflessly to my wife, endeavor to protect her, care for her, listen to her, love her, and speak the truth to her in love.

7.I AM A GREAT FATHER. The Bible says that God chose Abraham because He knew he would lead his children in the way of the Lord. I am a role model to the children God has given me. I will protect them, provide for them and guide them in the way of the Lord.

8.I AM A LEARNER. The Bible says I should study to show myself approved unto God. I am consistently and continuously giving myself to study, improving myself on daily basis and taking courses to better my life.

9.I AM A SERVANT LEADER. Jesus said “He that will be great among you must be your servant.” I know that the pathway to a great leadership is through service. I therefore lead as a servant not as boss to the people God has given me the privilege to lead.

10.I VALUE TIME. Time is non-renewable resource, therefore, I will make the most of my time, prioritize first thing first, set goals and achieve them and use time to fulfill my God’s given purpose on earth.

11.I RESPECT MY PARENTS. I am giving back to my parents the love, care, protection and opportunities I have enjoyed through them. The Bible says when we honour our parents; we will live long on earth.

12.I AM DILLIGENT. I am applying myself to my calling, ensuring to make my calling and election sure. The Bible says, “If a man is diligent, he will stand before kings”

13.I AM DISCIPLINED. Like Paul, “I take authority over my body, so that after I have helped others, I myself will not be cast away.” I do things when I am supposed to do them not when I feel like doing them.

This is my little book. You don’t have to follow my life. Remember this book is unique to me. It is my dream book. It’s my assignment book. It’s my life book. This is my ideal life. I am not there yet, but this provides a blueprint for my life.

I will be waiting to read your book! Please email it to me via [email protected].

PS:

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About the Author

Dr. DuyilemiAkindele Felix is a renowned writer and International Inspirational Speaker. He is a popularly sought after Speaker in Corporate Organizations, Schools, Seminars and Churches. He has written a number of inspirational books including “It’s In You” “Pick Up Your Broken dreams” “Wake Up Your Destiny” and others. A well -rounded Personality with a Doctoral Degree in Divinity, Master’s in Applied Psychology and double Honours in Science and Education. He spends his time reading, writing and speaking. He can be reached on email: [email protected]

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Aug 14, 2017

What My Mentor Taught Me: Lesson 3. Duyilemi A. Felix

My phone rang and I picked it, “Duyilemi, how are you doing?” It was my mentor’s voice. That was the first time he would call me. I was elated.

“Have you read the book I gave you?”

“Yes Sir” was my firm affirmation.

“Good. Then see me in the office tomorrow by 12noon”

“Ok Sir,” I responded with a million dollar enthusiasm.

By 11:30am the next day I was already in the vestibule of my Mentor’s office. This time around, the Secretary welcomed me with a look of an old friend, “You are welcome…Oga seemed to like you. You can go in once it’s 12”

“Thanks a lot” I responded with a feeling of confidence.

At exactly 12, I walked into my Mentor’s breathtaking office.

“You are welcome” was his quiet but lovely voice.

“You said, you have read the five books I told you to read, where is your note?”

And I brought out my spiral bound notebook, where I have highlighted the points I learnt from each of the books.

My Mentor look at my notes and said that word, guess? “IMPRESSIVE!”

“You have proved to me now that I can invest my time in you,” he looked at me with a look of “now you are ready for work.”

“Thank you, Sir…I promise not to let you down”

“Did you know why I asked for your notes?”

“No, Sir,” I responded.

“It’s because IT’S ONLY THOSE WHO TAKE NOTES THAT BECOME ‘NOTED’ IN THEIR WORLD”

"IT’S ONLY THOSE WHO TAKE NOTES THAT BECOME ‘NOTED’ IN THEIR WORLD”

“Now that you have passed my test, I’m ready to teach you some of the things I have learnt in the past 25 years…you have already demonstrated an appetite for learning. If you build on this, I can predict you will end up in life very great.” Said my Mentor.

“Three things Are important in life to get you started in the right direction:

1.Willingness to question assumptions

80% of what you believe in, might be wrong. 80% of what others have told you, might be wrong. You must be willing to question assumptions and status quo. Look at things and ask questions, including the things I tell you.

2.Follow your passion

The people who really become significant in life are passionate people. Don’t sell your passion. Don’t quench your passion. Don’t kill your passion and don’t walk away from your passion. Your passion is the key to your destiny.

3.Key Relationships

If you want to change your life very fast, change or improve on your key relationships.

Do you know that the TRINITY is composed of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost and not the Father, Son and Lucifer?

Never trade your destiny for the wrong kind of people. If you want to become wise, walk with the wise. I think you have had enough sense to look for the right people by asking me to be your mentor.

Go home and think on the three points. We will meet on Tuesday next week.” That will be all for today, see you next time.

“Thank you sir for your time,” I said with a glowing smile on my face.

“You are welcome.” Responded my Mentor.

Do you miss Lesson 2: Read NOW

Thanks for visiting, I will let you know when Lesson 4 is available.

PS: I know many people have great potential in them to do extra-ordinary things in life, however, many will end up not becoming all they can be. Sad.

Why? Because of Mis-information, fear and self-doubt. That is why I provide Online Coaching opportunity to help people like YOU harness their potential and become all they can be within the shortest possible time. IT’S IN YOU, now let’s BRING IT OUT! Find out MORE

About the Author

Dr. Duyilemi Akindele Felix is a renowned writer and International Inspirational Speaker. He is a popularly sought after Speaker in Corporate Organizations, Schools, Seminars and Churches and host of a daily Radio Program "Life Without Limits" on Impact 92.5Fm. He has written a number of inspirational books, including "It’s In You" "Pick Up Your Broken dreams" "Wake Up Your Destiny" and others. He spends his time reading, writing and speaking. Reach him via [email protected].

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Nov 30, 2016

Why You Should Read Books

READING MAKES A FULL MAN!

"THE FAMILIES THAT READ ARE THE FAMILIES THAT RULE THE WORLD"

                                             Napoleon

                   " If you want to lead, read."

                                        Duyilemi A. Felix

If you want men to book for you, read books. I haven’t seen any truly successful man in any field of endeavors, who is not a reader. Books are the ladder to leadership. Until you become studious, you can’t stand out. The only distance between a man and a great future is right information hidden in books. When I see a man’s appetite for knowledge, I can predict his future.

My good wife Atolani Duyilemi once said, "If you are open to learning, you are open to blessings”

“Reading makes a full man.

It is a yardstick for comparison.

A leveler for understanding,

A square for sizing up,

A plumb rule for concentration.

It provokes thought,

Inspires meditation,” Said Prevette.

Reading engenders reflection, causes deliberation, and gives you greater power to concentrate on the job. Napoleon once said: "Show me a family of readers, and I will show you, a family that rules the world."

Reading increases your understanding, gives you an insight into the thinking of others.

It helps you to form a pattern of thought and will help you to influence and motivate others to think and act. It opens up new vistas, ripens judgment, stabilizes thought, and teaches you to be tolerant and considerate of others. It helps you to grow and expand.

Through books You learn to compare with Shakespeare, reason with Plato, meditate with Emerson, visualize with Jefferson, observe with Burroughs, weigh with Bacon, think with Socrates, judge with Lincoln, dramatize with Churchill and love with Jesus.

Many simply know the importance of reading, but the problem is time! Recently, on a national Television, I was asked, “Dr. Duyilemi Felix, how do we find time to read in the face of the myriad responsibilities that choke our time daily?” My response was, “Do you eat? How do you find time to eat despite those responsibilities?” The truth is, we always find time to do those things we consider to be important to us. Don’t we?

However, I admit without strategies in place, we may go for years without reading a good book. In this article I will show you 5 strategies to enhance your reading culture.

1.Buy a New Book Every Month.

Not just to fill up your library, but to fill up your mind. I have personally realized that each time I am “slow” on reading; I know I need to buy something new. Sometimes we get used to old books we have that we lost excitement about reading them again. The culture of buying a new book will enable us to maintain our love for reading.

2.Cultivate the Friendship of Readers.

It was Chalie “Tremendous” who once said, “Two things will determine what you become in the next five years, one the books you read, and two, the friends you keep.” Attitudes are contagious. If we have friends who read, by the law of association, we tend to read and vice versa. If your friends don’t like reading, I advise you to join a reading club or association in your community.

3.Take A Book With You Every Where You Go.

Sometimes, we waste a lot of fruitful time in transit. This time can be best put into a productive use. There is no excuse for not reading if we put our minds to it. If you think you don’t have time to read, consider these men in history:

·James Watt taught himself Chemistry and Mechanics, while working at his trade mathematical-instrument maker.

·Dr. Mason translated Lucretius, while riding in his carriage in the streets of London, doing the round of patients.

·Dr. Burnley learnt French and Italian, while traveling on horseback, from one music pupil to another.

·Kirk White learnt Greek, while walking to and from a Lawyer’s office.

4.Use Toilet Time.

It’s been said that an average person spends about 525, 600 minutes in the toilet in his lifetime. That is a whole lot of time. That time can be converted into a profitable time. Toilet time can be turned to an investment time! Read my ARTICLE HOW TO TURN YOUR TOILET TIME INTO A PROFITABLE TIME

5.Read at Least 30 minutes A day.

If you read just for 30 minutes a day you will be surprised at the of the month the volume of information you would have consumed. 30 minutes are not too difficult to squeeze out of your time in a day. Make this time sacrosanct, do it until it becomes your second nature. Experts in the field of personal development believe that whatever we do consistently for 21 days becomes a habit. Turn off the Television after work and spend 30 minutes with a good book before you go to bed.

PS: BLESSED BY THIS? Please share it with your friends. And leave a comment before you leave.

Dr. Duyilemi A. Felix loves reading, analyzing, conceptualizing, writing and teaching. He’s a widely sought after inspirational teacher in many corporate organizations and churches. Reach him through mail at [email protected]

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Category Archives: Books, Wisdom, and Insight

Dec 31, 2020

Surviving Betrayal: A New Book by Dr. Albert Oduwole

PS: Your feedback is important to us, please leave a comment.

Jun 1, 2020

Can You Write A Book in One Hour?

About the Author

Aug 14, 2017

What My Mentor Taught Me: Lesson 3. Duyilemi A. Felix

PS: I know many people have great potential in them to do extra-ordinary things in life, however, many will end up not becoming all they can be. Sad.

Why? Because of Mis-information, fear and self-doubt. That is why I provide Online Coaching opportunity to help people like YOU harness their potential and become all they can be within the shortest possible time. IT’S IN YOU, now let’s BRING IT OUT! Find out MORE

Nov 30, 2016

Why You Should Read Books

Dr. Duyilemi A. Felix loves reading, analyzing, conceptualizing, writing and teaching. He’s a widely sought after inspirational teacher in many corporate organizations and churches. Reach him through mail at [email protected]