THE INVISIBLE PATH TO SUCCESS

Success can be said to be the actualization of a desired objective, goal or purpose. It is a very relative term and a subjective discuss. There is no objective yardstick for measuring it. It’s more of a personal thing because what one person may regard as success may be an outright failure to another. The main determinant is the desired objective. Since we all have different objectives for approaching or undertaking any task, our measure of success will invariably be different.

Success in life according to Bishop David Oyedepo is the attainment of one’s specific purpose for creation. This means that there is a reason we all were created. There is a particular assignment that we came to this earth to accomplish. If we die without accomplishing it, then we have failed. This means that this world will not be complete without each of us.

For example, imagine a world without Bill Gates (there would not have been quality personal computers), without Steve Jobs (no apple products), without Mark Zukerberg (no Facebook), without Seun Osewa (No Nairaland), without Denzel Washington, Michael Scofield, Jackie Chan, etc, (incomplete Holly wood), without Osuofia, Edochie, Genevive,etc (incomplete Nolly wood), without Messi, (Usain) Bolt, Ronaldo, the Williams, etc (incomplete sports).

How would our lives have been without electricity, cars, aeroplanes, internet, kfc, telephones, etc. these are things that specific people came into this world to achieve and they succeeded in achieving them. What a boring life we would be living without musicians, lawyers, doctors, soldiers, entrepreneurs, Etc. who would treat the sick if there were no doctors? Who would lead if there were no politicians? Who would teach if there were no teachers? Who would preach if there were no pastors? Who would be writing this if there was no “IKECHUKWU”? We were all created for specific assignments here on earth and the discovery and fulfilment of them is the ultimate success.

 

In these assignments lie our greatness and wealth. The fulfilment of these assignments must bring about our profiting. The challenge is that people tend to imitate others in the pursuit of their assignment. Or they let others tell them what their assignments are supposed to be. The art and science of self discovery of individual assignments determines our level of success and invariably wealth. A fish outside the water is dead but in the water, it’s the king. A lion inside the jungle is the king but it dares not try to enter the water.

We all came into this world at zero level. Not even a cloth on our body, yet we’ve been able to achieve so much in our life time. From the point of delivery into the world our battle for success commenced. Events after events begin to play themselves out directing us to the path to follow based on our choices.

Your success is largely dependent on you. This is because you reap exactly what you sow. The choices we make no matter how minute has a consequence. You can decide to succeed or to fail. The choice is yours. You can’t plant yam and reap mango. You can’t plant the choice of success and end up not succeeding.

Let me explain to you how it works. The things we see with our physical eyes are products of what has happened in the metaphysical world. You see a product today and you enjoy it. Ask yourself, how did it all come together? Some people somewhere must have worked behind the scene to give the final product. In a movie for example the actors are not real players. The real players are behind the scene doing all the hard  work, like the directors, producers, script writers, etc.

The world works exactly like the internet. When you put in a request in a search engine, it goes to the back end and does all the work of processing and finally comes up with some answers related to your request. You don’t know what happens in the backend. But it is the back end that really determines the result you get. It doesn’t just produce one result, but several results from which you have to make your choices. Life operates in the same exact manner. When you send out a request, it produces several results from which you have to make your choices. Just like the internet where the choice you make will determine the final web page you are taken to and what you see there. The choices you make will determine the final destination you’ll arrive in life.

We will deal with the power of choices later.

Success is never an accident or luck. It involves a conscious and deliberate action towards its attainment. Yes, some people may achieve success without knowing how it came about. That doesn’t make it an accident, there were actions which where taken to achieve it.

Success is not the amount of wealth you were able to amass, but your ability to accomplish the purpose for which you were born. Wealth comes with success but it is not a measure of success.

You want to achieve success? Sit back, meditate and study those that have gone ahead of you. Read everything you could see in the field, listen to tapes and as much as possible learn all that’s needed to be learnt. Make sure you fully understand the principles guiding what you were meant to do here on earth. Then by all means, delve into it without hesitation and watch your success emerge like magic.

THE ENTREPRENEUR; JESUS!!

Whether you like him or not or believe in him or not. Even if you argue till eternity, Jesus Christ is the greatest business man that has walked the surface of this planet earth. That you don’t like Coca-Cola doesn’t mean it’s not the most popular brand in the world today. No matter the passion with which you hate Jose Mohrinho doesn’t change the fact that he is the most successful football coach in the world as at now.

Jesus established a company that has lived for over 2014 years. THE CHURCH. His company has presence in every country of the world. His consumers are over 2 billion and counting. His products come out very fresh on daily basis (cf. Lamentations 3:22-23). His employees are the happiest set of employees on earth. He was at the helm of affairs of the company for just three and half years.

What more can we say? His products are so unique. His management style; the best. His marketing style; unbeatable and result oriented. His HR department; so co-ordinated, as recruitment is top form. Are you running a business or planning to start one? I strongly advice you adopt his skills, because for Him to have this track record of success, his methods surely work.

Which product is he selling? “His Word”. A very intangible product, yet very valuable. Its uses are innumerable. It has the capacity to transform lives, make people wealthy, heal all manner of diseases, opens the mind to insights, and create things. It even serves as a husband to the widow, a father to the fatherless, and mother to the motherless. With it; come hope, wisdom and understanding. In fact, its efficacy depends on the consumer. It does whatever you believe it can do. Isn’t that a wonderful product?

His management style? Hmmm!!!... He adapted the position of a servant. He always had a ready plan at all times. He personally chose His close associates. He had established authority. His timing of events was perfect. He constantly trained His staff. He gave His employees opportunity to prove themselves. He had a very good logistic support. He was very humble (humility is very vital to keep in touch with the real people). He shared the glory with his employees. He knew the importance of saying thanks. He never neglected public speaking. He knew when to cut his losses. He was very aware of sycophants. He was a great risk taker. He settled disputes very quickly. He always stood up for his people. He regularly ate with the troops. He had a perfect succession plan. From the point of recruitment, he trained His successor (co-labourers) for the task ahead.

His marketing skills? He had a perfect knowledge of the market. He knew where to go to per time with the product. He first tested the market in Galilee before spreading out. He started small in local temples and synagogues. The recruited the best marketer of all times, Paul, who took the product doggedly to all parts of the known world then. His understanding and implementation of the 4P’s of marketing; (ie: the product, the people, the price and the place) was so perfect. He even had to die for the product just to ensure it achieved global significance.

In conclusion, if you have intentions to run a company that would last generations to come, better go and learn from the master whose track record is so intimidating. The good news is that unlike some modern day executives, He is still willing and ready to teach whoever is willing to learn. He says “…come and learn of me”. He wrote all his methods down in His will and is made available to anybody who is interested to study.

THE FORCE; IDEAS

Idea is a picture that comes clearly to your mind showing you the next step to take to achieve the desired result. The idea must first be a reality in your mind for it to manifest. The world was created by ideas. God had a vision of what He wanted and He went to work with the ideas as they came. Ideas are not visions but they are the vehicle that brings vision to its destination.

Great impact recorded in the world all came as a result of visions that rode on ideas. Henry ford for e.g had a vision of producing affordable cars for the masses then he went to work with the ideas as they came. For your ideas to speak, it must be accompanied with work.

The period between the conceptualization and fulfillment of an idea is very critical. Its time to work. So many obstacles will surely come your way to discourage you from attaining the desired result. But your ability to hold on and persevere determines your result.

It takes some fundamental principles to bring ideas into reality. These principles include; determination, discipline, integrity, hard work, accountability and resoluteness.

Visions are achieved by ideas; i.e. one idea building on another until the full picture emerges. Ideas are the ladder that leads to the actualization of vision. A vision without ideas on how to run with it is just a mere dream.

How do you get these ideas to keep flowing?

-         Meditation: take time to think and to meditate on the ideas as they come. It’s the farm you cultivate that grows. Meditation is the cultivation of ideas. You’ll be amazed that the more you meditate on them, the more they flow

-         Write it down: you’ll be amazed at what happens between the head and the hand. It’s magical. The more you write, the more it flows.

-         Test run the idea: start experimenting on the ideas and you’ll be surprised at the way you’ll expand.

The world as we came to meet it was built on people’s ideas. We will contribute our own in our life time here and let the next generation continue from where we stopped.

N/B: in all you do keep your ideas very close to your chest unless you are ready to implement them.

MY KEKE MY LOVE

Oh! My Keke! What a wonder thou art. You mean so much to many people. Though often over looked, you are part of Nigerians everyday life. No matter what people may say, your value and contribution cannot be underrated. I know you have come to stay and not in a hurry to go.

You came into our lives in the year 2002 as part of poverty eradication program. You were introduced as an alternative means of transportation to ease transportation problems in the country. Another reason for your introduction was to provide employment for people who had hitherto been idle with criminal tendencies. So far, you have not disappointed.

I must confess, the first time I saw you, I was amused. You looked funny. In a way, you reminded me of my dad’s Volkswagen beetles (RIP). I dare say that you are the younger sister to Volkswagen beetles. You both have the same engine, produce similar sound, the same in odd shapes. Someone might mistake you for a car from behind because of your back view that looks like “danfo”. But, a look at the side or front view will get the person dumbfounded with surprise. The question on his/her lips will be: ‘What is this? Is it a Motorcycle or a Car?’ The truth is that you are neither of them, yet you represent both. You don’t have a steering wheel like a conventional car rather you have a throttle like a motorcycle. Have a roof like a car, yet cannot be called a car. You are simply “KEKE”.

The only motorcycle with three legs, the only car without a steering, I salute! You, whose Tires are as big as that of a wheel barrow, the only automatic ride with a clutch. I greet! Whoever designed you deserve an accolade because you were beautifully and wonderfully created. You are a hybrid among cars. A wonder among bikes.

You throttle like a bike, yet produces the sound of a danfo. You don’t over speed. You move at a very descent speed (maximum speed limit of 80km/hr). A friend of mine, while admiring you, said you glide like a snake. I quite agree with her. People will not notice this until you carry them.

Driving/riding you could be fun though tasking. You require a lot of expertise to be driven. With one leg in front and two behind, a lot of calculation is required to be able to maneuver on our roads. But, once anyone has succeeded in mastering the art and science involved in driving you, it becomes such fun. What a jolly ride! I encourage everyone to try driving you some day. Hope you don’t mind.

When night time comes, your beauty radiates. Oh! What a sight to behold! Your headlights? Very bright and fine. When your headlight and one-way traficator comes on at night, I marvel at your beauty. Recently I saw one that has a very tech sound system in it, playing NIGGA RAW’s song (Obodo). I was dumbfounded. Wonders will never end!

People may be wondering why I talk about you a lot recently. Well, it is because I found you out, discovered your qualities and potentials. Imagine how life for a common man would have been in Nigeria with most of the states banning okada. Imagine the level of employment you have created for thousands of Nigerians. You cannot take part in crime because of your speed. You don’t have the required speed and stamina required for an armed robbery or kidnapping operation to succeed.

Now, let them think of how much you add to Nigeria’s Gross National Product(GNP), the multiplier effect your services has on the economy. Your economic benefits cannot  be overemphasized. So many people are wealthy today courtesy of you. So many are employed, thanks to you. So many families can afford 3 square meals today because of you. Whether they want to believe it or not, you have in one way or the other affected the life of every Nigerian Directly or Indirectly.

What more do we owe you than to show you love. On behalf of about 150million Nigerians, I say, thanks a lot for coming into our lives. WE LOVE YOU!