Success Stimulants

Sometimes last week around Ikeja GRA axis, I saw a guy with this inscription on his T-shirt ' Do not wait for your future, create it.'  The deep meaning of these words didn’t sink in and I casually waved it off. Recently, I had a chat with a friend and she shared a picture of a lovely painting of the popular Beauty and the Beast story with me. I was pretty astonished – not at the quality of the painting – but at the fact that she has so much talent than I knew. I have always known her flair for artworks – she’s also a budding poet! But I never thought she is that blessed. So I inquired of her, “What else do you do that I do not know of?” She replied, “I’m a jack of all trade and master of none”. Then I advised her to pick one of her supposed numerous talents and groom herself on it.   Her response threw me aback, “I need a sign, a writing in the cloud… a letter from the Pope.” Photo Credit: motivationgrid.com

The word priority is one not too strange to a common Nigerian man. It cuts across all age bracket and spheres of life. Safely used but poorly implemented. Why? Most people have failed to recognise true meaning of this word. We are going to play around the definition before going through its relevance to today's lesson. 

It has often been said that time and tides wait for no man. I first learnt about this phrase when I was in primary four from the literature book ‘ Çhike and the River’ written by renowned Nigerian Author Chinua Achebe when Samuel Maduka Obi (SMOG) told Chike to hurry up and gather enough shillings (money) to cross the river Niger before the bridge was built across it. Also, it is said that Mr Time is nobody’s friend. But I beg to disagree. Who would give every Tom, Dick and Harry equal chance at life? Only a true friend could. Who would provide us with an equal platform to thrive and make headway in life? Only a true friend could. How then is Mr Time no man’s friend? Truth is, time can indeed be no man’s friend. In fact, it can only be friend with those who come to embrace the way it operates. True? Absolutely yes! Before we proceed, let’s agree on some facts about time.

Wow! I'm so happy you made it! Happy New Year my friend. Glad to have you here. I'm convinced this year is going to be the best yet for you. However, there are just a few things that could help you start the year on a great note (like you definitely want).  I know we're now at that point where New Year resolutions would begin to fly in here and there. People would begin to make meaningfully (at times outrageous) pledges for the New Year. But the truth is, only a handful get to follow through with their propositions. This may be due to unforeseen negating circumstances or personal ineptitude. Research has shown that only 8% of people who make resolutions actually achieve them. So statistically, I bet you're one of those who didn't. Not to worry, you could join the elite list of the 8% mentioned above. All you have to do is carefully read and follow through the points itemised below. 

In a period when there appears to be chaos all over the world. The cry for a saviour has broken the current decibel record. Passionate wail has overthrown the regular groan and moan we used to be accustomed to. People have refused to take seize the initiative and take the world by a storm during this trying time. Rather we have subconsciously transformed ourselves into zombies for fools' sake. We have folded our hands and refused to set it to work and reset things to our taste. I have always held this thought that for us to thrive and overcome this period, we need to get up and stand out Not just that alone, one needs to live above the abnormality the world currently exudes, dare to stand out and carve a niche. Else, one risks being swept away by the incessant flood of abnormality.

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” ― Helen Keller . You can either stay put and live a normal life or break the norm and do the extraordinary. And to do the extraordinary, you need to create an irregularity from a regularity. How can you do that? These outlines should help you out.

Taking risk is good business if you ask me. It may necessary not come easy on the eyes but it's always worthwhile. Irrespective of whatever risk you're taking, a big career, business, academics, personal growth or relationship decision, there will always be two positive outcome. You either succeed or fail! Truth be told, you have a greater chance of failing than succeeding.

While thinking of what to share with you today, I stumbled on a piece I wrote over a year ago and I felt compelled to share. This lovely piece was inspired by renowned Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, after watching her speech on 'The Dangers of Single Story'.   The speech was delivered on popular American TV talk show, 'Ted Talk'. Unfortunately, I was unable to see the whole video but the little I caught changed my orientation and perspective about things, issues, people and life. There are two sides to every story   What is a Single Story?