One late night, while browsing through the Lulu bookstore in search of self-help books, I stumbled upon How to Outsmart a Manipulator by Justin Taylor. The title immediately caught my attention, resonating with my recent experiences. I had been grappling with the realization that a close friend had been subtly manipulating me. Their constant need for control, the guilt-tripping, and the way they twisted situations to their advantage had left me feeling confused and emotionally drained. I hadn't recognized these behaviors as manipulation until I saw this book. Hoping to find clarity and regain control over my interactions, I purchased it. Reading Taylor's book was an eye-opening experience. It not only helped me identify the manipulative tactics used against me but also provided practical strategies to counteract them. Here are ten invaluable lessons I learned: 1. Recognize Manipulative Behavior Early Taylor emphasizes the importance of identifying manipulation before it takes hold. He outlines common tactics such as guilt-tripping, gaslighting, and playing the victim. Understanding these signs enabled me to spot manipulation in its early stages and address it promptly. 2. Understand the Psychology Behind Manipulation The book delves into the psychological mechanisms manipulators exploit, such as our desire for approval or fear of conflict. By understanding these, I became more aware of my vulnerabilities and learned to protect myself from being exploited. 3. Set Clear Boundaries Taylor stresses the necessity of establishing and maintaining personal boundaries. He provides guidance on how to communicate limits assertively and the importance of consistency in upholding them. Implementing this advice helped me reclaim my personal space and autonomy. 4. Build Emotional Resilience Manipulators often target emotional weaknesses. The book offers exercises to strengthen emotional resilience, such as mindfulness practices and self-reflection techniques. These tools have been instrumental in helping me stay grounded and less susceptible to emotional manipulation. 5. Trust Your Instincts Taylor encourages readers to listen to their gut feelings. Often, we sense something is off but dismiss it. Learning to trust my instincts has been crucial in identifying and avoiding manipulative situations. 6. Communicate Assertively The book provides strategies for assertive communication, emphasizing the use of "I" statements and maintaining a calm demeanor. This approach has empowered me to express my needs and concerns without aggression or passivity. 7. Avoid Justifying or Over-Explaining Manipulators often exploit our tendency to over-explain. Taylor advises keeping explanations concise and avoiding unnecessary justifications. This tactic has helped me maintain control during interactions and prevent being drawn into manipulative dialogues. 8. Recognize the Impact of Manipulation on Mental Health The book discusses how prolonged exposure to manipulation can lead to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. Acknowledging this impact motivated me to prioritize my mental well-being and seek supportive relationships. 9. Develop a Support System Taylor highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with trustworthy individuals. Building a support network has provided me with perspective, encouragement, and a safe space to discuss concerns. 10. Empower Yourself Through Knowledge Ultimately, the book underscores that knowledge is power. Understanding manipulation tactics and how to counter them has restored my confidence and sense of control. I now approach relationships with a balanced perspective, aware of potential red flags and equipped to handle them. How to Outsmart a Manipulator by Justin Taylor has been a transformative read. It has not only helped me navigate and exit a toxic friendship but also equipped me with the tools to foster healthier relationships moving forward. I feel more confident, self-assured, and prepared to protect my emotional well-being. BOOK LINK: https://www.lulu.com/shop/justin-taylor/how-to-outsmart-a-manipulator/ebook/product-jewnzz5.html?q=How+to+Outsmart+a+Manipulator+&page=1&pageSize=4

*11 Rules to Live a Better Life:* 1. Wake up early 2. Move your body 3. Eat whole foods 4. Speak less, listen more 5. Spend time in nature 6. Cut toxic people 7. Keep your promises 8. Be kind without reason 9. Value your time 10. Stay humble 11. Never stop learning *Double Tap ❤️ if this helped you*

The beautiful thing about learning is, nobody can take it away from you.

When parents get old… They may move a little slower. They might forget what they just said. They might tell the same story again and again. But don’t stop them. Let them talk. Let them share. Let them feel heard. Because once upon a time, they listened to your every word. Even when it made no sense. Even when you couldn’t get the words out. They gave you their time, their patience, their energy, without asking for anything in return. Now it’s your turn. Let them hold on to their old things. The faded chair. The chipped mug. The quiet routines. They may look like clutter to you. But to them, it’s a life. A life they built. A life they still want to feel close to. Let them enjoy time with their old friends. The familiar laughs. The old stories. The comfort of people who’ve known them for decades. They once made space for your world. Now let them have theirs. Let them light up around their grandchildren. In those little faces, they see echoes of you and a reason to smile all over again. Let them be wrong sometimes. You made mistakes too. And they never made you feel ashamed. Let them enjoy their days, even if they don't look the way you think they should. They spent years making sacrifices, putting your needs before their own. Now let them rest. Let them choose. Let them live this last stretch with dignity. With love. With you. Give them your hand. They once held yours so gently, so tightly, when you were learning to walk. Now they’re the ones who need steady ground. So hold them. The way they once held you. Without question. Without condition. With all the love in the world.

One of the purest things is someone trying to fix themselves so that they can love you exactly the way you deserve to be loved. It’s a beautiful and honest act when a person looks at their own flaws, fears and habits and decides to work on them, not because someone forced them to but because they truly want to love someone better. They recognize that you deserve a love that’s gentle strong and safe and they’re willing to go through the hard process of change to offer you that kind of love. This means they take the time to understand where they’ve gone wrong in the past. Maybe they’ve been hurt before or maybe they didn’t know how to communicate or show love the right way. But now, they’re learning. They’re reading, thinking, listening and reflecting. They’re facing their own pain, their own silence, their own bad habits, not to become perfect but to become more aware, more kind and more loving for you. They start to pay attention to what makes you happy and what makes you feel seen. They try to support your dreams and comfort you when you're low. They don’t just tell you they love you, they show it in small ways, every day. Even when it’s hard, even when they feel tired or unsure, they keep trying because your heart matters to them more than their own comfort or pride. This kind of love isn’t about changing for someone else but it’s about growing because love itself inspires you to be better. It is choosing to face your own darkness so you don’t pass it on to the person you care about. It’s the quiet promise that says, “You deserve the best of me” and the daily effort to make that promise real. 💕 ➥𝐼𝑓 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 ℎ𝑒𝑙𝑝𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑡 & 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑒⇅ >

Discovering your own Gift 🎁 involves introspection, self-assessment, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Here are some strategies to help you get started: 1. Set clear goals: Establish what you want to achieve in different areas of your life, such as career, relationships, or personal growth. 2. Track your progress: Keep a journal, log your accomplishments, or use a habit-tracking app to monitor your progress. 3. Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses: Identify areas where you excel and areas that need improvement. 4. Seek feedback: Ask for constructive feedback from trusted friends, family, or colleagues. 5. Practice self-awareness: Recognize your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors, and how they impact your productivity and quality of work. 6. Develop a growth mindset: Be open to learning, experimenting, and taking calculated risks. 7. Prioritize tasks: Focus on high-impact activities that align with your goals and values. 8. Eliminate distractions: Minimize procrastination and optimize your workflow. 9. Celebrate small wins: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. 10. Continuously learn and improve: Stay updated with industry trends, best practices, and new skills to enhance your quality and efficiency. By implementing these strategies, you'll be better equipped to discover your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing your overall quality and efficiency. What specific area of your life do you want to improve?

Dear Employers, I hope this mail finds you well? There's a street called "Training on the Job" for the employees. Yes, they need to access that street. I understand you may be wondering; What if they don't stay and work for me after the training? What if they switch on me? Will they apply what they'll learn in my company? Will i lose the money or gain? I understand. Just give it a try. Maybe a free or paid training or even recommend same. Our company, Whitebridge consulting has a Learning and Development Unit where we train your staffs, we have a wide range of experts in different field as facilitators. You can reach out to me and we set the street running. Best Regards.

1. A leader leads from the front not from the back 2. A leader does first before he asks his followers to do not the other way round 3. A leader listens more than he speaks 4. A leader takes responsibility, not excuses 5. A leader corrects in private and praises in public 6. A leader stands strong during chaos, not just in comfort 7. A leader motivates by example, not by pressure 8. A leader protects the weak, not exploit them 9. A leader shows vision, not confusion 10. A leader works with the team, not above the team 11. A leader creates more leaders, not more followers 12. A leader stays calm even when others panic 13. A leader stays focused on the goal, not distracted by noise 14. A leader serves before he commands 15. A leader accepts blame and shares the credit 16. A leader builds trust, not fear 17. A leader values growth over perfection 18. A leader solves problems, not spread blame 19. A leader remains humble no matter how high he climbs 20. A leader respects others regardless of their position 21. A leader keeps learning, even while leading 22. A leader inspires with actions, not just words 23. A leader speaks truth, not what’s convenient 24. A leader admits mistakes, not cover them 25. A leader remains consistent, not double-faced 26. A leader earns loyalty, not demand it 27. A leader walks with integrity, not hidden agendas 28. A leader stays visible when it's tough, not hide 29. A leader builds bridges, not walls 30. A leader lifts others up, not tramples on them *Encouragement Paragraph:* True leadership is not about titles or positions — it’s about action, impact, and character. Whether you lead a team, a family, a community, or just yourself, be the kind of leader who leads by example. People follow what they see, not what they hear. So rise, lead with love, strength, and integrity. The world needs more of such leadership. 💪🌟

LOVING MEANS... 1. Forgiving before an apology is made 2. Apologising when you wrong because hurting your partner hurts you 3. Hugging tightly when no words can be said 4. Sharing a meal because food brings people together 5. Kissing more than the lips; kiss the forehead, shoulders, fingers and cheek 6. Saying "I love you" in the middle of an argument to remind each other what you have is bigger than the fight 7. Starting the day with a "Good morning" because it is a blessing to live a new day together 8. Calling your loved one on the phone in the middle of the day just to make him/ her smile 9. Holding each other close as you look in the mirror and see "The world's loveliest couple" 10. Planning a surprise to brighten up your loved one's day. Doing something special to see him/her smile 11. Taking photos of you two to add to your love album and cherish the moments 12. Acting silly; dance, laugh, tease each other because you are free with each other 13. Listening when one of you is talking, both of you should feel heard 14. Praying even in good and bad times, learning to give thanks. Prayer humbles you to love 15. Falling asleep in the middle of a late night conversation then wake up to continue it 16. Asking for help from your loved one even when you can do it on your own 17. Analyzing yourself to see any wrongdoing in you before accusing your loved one 18. Bumping on each other as you two walk because you're so cozy together 19. Laughing with each other not at each other 20. Wiping her tears, allaying his fears 21. Having fun turning down other suitors because you're faithful to your one and only true love

To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding; To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity; :To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion. A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

1. A leader leads from the front not from the back 2. A leader does first before he asks his followers to do not the other way round 3. A leader listens more than he speaks 4. A leader takes responsibility, not excuses 5. A leader corrects in private and praises in public 6. A leader stands strong during chaos, not just in comfort 7. A leader motivates by example, not by pressure 8. A leader protects the weak, not exploit them 9. A leader shows vision, not confusion 10. A leader works with the team, not above the team 11. A leader creates more leaders, not more followers 12. A leader stays calm even when others panic 13. A leader stays focused on the goal, not distracted by noise 14. A leader serves before he commands 15. A leader accepts blame and shares the credit 16. A leader builds trust, not fear 17. A leader values growth over perfection 18. A leader solves problems, not spread blame 19. A leader remains humble no matter how high he climbs 20. A leader respects others regardless of their position 21. A leader keeps learning, even while leading 22. A leader inspires with actions, not just words 23. A leader speaks truth, not what’s convenient 24. A leader admits mistakes, not cover them 25. A leader remains consistent, not double-faced 26. A leader earns loyalty, not demand it 27. A leader walks with integrity, not hidden agendas 28. A leader stays visible when it's tough, not hide 29. A leader builds bridges, not walls 30. A leader lifts others up, not tramples on them *Encouragement Paragraph:* True leadership is not about titles or positions — it’s about action, impact, and character. Whether you lead a team, a family, a community, or just yourself, be the kind of leader who leads by example. People follow what they see, not what they hear. So rise, lead with love, strength, and integrity. The world needs more of such leadership. 💪🌟

🙋🏻‍♀️ *What are your ways of creating wealth 💰 right now?* ☝️ = My main job/business. ✌️= Investing in stocks/mutual funds. 🤘= Building a side hustle or freelance work. 🙌 = Real estate investments. 🫶 = Smart savings & budgeting. 🤜 = Learning new skills to boost my income. 🤞= Yet not earning, but keen on creating massive wealth 🤑 in near future. 😅 = Don't believe in creating wealth, it's a matter of luck!