FINDING THE WAY OUT
Many of us are born with great potentials and ability to
fulfill all our dreams and desires. At childhood we keep dreaming and imagining
our future; bright, beautiful and full of success. We don’t see, anticipate,
envisage failure of any sort, we are super convinced we would accomplish all
our dreams and expectations.
Many of us get very serious about making good success in
life, we start early, going to school studying hard and deep, believing if we
do all that’s required, life will reward us with all that we desire.
While we’re at it, we encourage ourselves with the very many
people who has walked the path we’re currently threading and became successful.
We encourage ourselves in referring to successful people in our field of
endeavour. We call the names of the achievers in our field, we call the names
of successful lawyers, banker, engineers, architects, pilots, surgeons,
business men and the likes, we look at them and their lives and we smile;
encouraged by their achievements and believing if they made it, we would make
it as well.
What we lack in balance however, is that we do not think or
consider those who have failed in that same field of endeavour to learn from
them. I personally believe there are so many lessons to be learnt in the life
of someone that failed as well, most essentially, how not to do it.
There is a need to understand why they failed, what they
missed, the mistakes they made and their wrong calculations.
Becoming successful is not a matter of theory. There are too
many books, too many speaker, teachers and achievers telling the world how they
made it. What I observed is that with all the information on how to make it;
sharing the attitude, behavior and principles of the successful, very few people
actually still succeeds using the theories they read and heard about.
Truth is, many successful people don’t tell the whole truth
about how they succeeded. Many times they want to make it look pretty tough and
give the impression it’s all by their personal discipline, hard work, diligence
and knowledge, some of them want people to see them as special and superior,
they want to appear more serious about life than others, they want to take all
the credit for their success. While all these successful principles are
important, most of the time, it’s not the main reason why many successful
people are successful today. How do I know this? There are very many
disciplined, hardworking, diligent and knowledgeable people out there today who
are still trying to make ends meet. And believe me, all successful and great
achievers today in this world have personal struggles and weaknesses as well.
They didn’t succeed because they’re better than you, they succeeded because
they found the way of success despite their weaknesses and inadequacies.
Success is most times not about hard work and ability, success most times is
about knowing the way.
There is a secret to every success and every successful man
has a secret. Please understand me, this secret I’m talking about is not a bad
thing, it’s just something they know, have or can do; making them outstanding
that they will never disclose to you.
They found the way, that’s why they’re successful not
necessarily because they are better than you. Many of us today are traveling our
journeys in life using what I call a map. Maps are good, they show us where we
are and how we can get to where we want to go. Maps shows us the terrain, the
route, the distance and how to get there. When you look at a map, the journey
looks easy and convenient especially if you understand the map and the map is
explicit.
This life map, I liken unto books, journals, academic
materials, motivational speakers, life coaches and other sources of information
that can indicate how to get to your destination. But you see, many maps have
their limitations, they do not tell you about the weather; if it’s going to
rain or snow or be sunny on the day of your travel. Maps don’t tell you that.
Maps don’t tell you the temperature; when it’s going to be really hot or too cold
to travel. A map may show you a bridge but the map wouldn’t tell you how strong
the bridge is. A map will not tell you where the thieves or robbers are likely
going to be hiding along the route, the map wouldn’t tell you who to trust and
relate with and who not to on your way to your destination. A map is good, but
has its limitations.
Books are good, motivational speakers are fantastic, life
coaches are terrific and academic knowledge is important, but they all have
their limitations when it comes to your personal journey through life.
How do you then succeed on your journey, how do you ensure
you’re safe, secure and out of danger? How do you know whom to trust and not to
trust on your journey, how do you read the weather and understand the climate
on your way? How do you know when to run, when to slow down and when to halt on
your journey?
How do you understand the step after step decisions you
should make so as you progress on this journey?
First you need the map but much more than the map, you need a
guide on your journey. You need to connect with someone who has travelled the
journey before and has survived and succeeded. You need someone who would not
tell you the truth about the journey. You need someone who is honest enough to
tell you as it is. You need someone who would hold your hand and lead you
through this journey of life. You need someone who is willing to share his
experience; the good and the bad so you can learn from his mistakes and need
not make those same mistakes. You need someone who has done the journey and his
passion is in making others succeed on the journey as well.
You need someone who’s been hurt, bruised, abused, betrayed,
cheated and rejected along the way. Someone who’s been in harm’s way and has
survived grave danger. Someone not ashamed to share his mistakes, failures,
stupidity and vanity with you. Someone who has mastered the terrain, who knows
the traps, the shortcuts, the danger, someone who knows when to pause, when to
rest and when to keep going. Someone who would not judge or criticize you when
you make mistakes and fall, but will encourage you, inspire you, motivate you
and carry you when you fall.
The world is full of many successful people who would want
you to think they made it all on their own. Many successful people who wouldn’t
share their weaknesses and struggles with you; giving an impression they’ve got
it all together. Successful people who deep in their inside hope you wouldn’t
get there or succeed so you’ll keep admiring them and seeking them for help and
advice, sometimes at a cost.
Successful people who disdain the grace of God, the help of
men and unmerited favour as they reflect and narrate their success stories.
You need a guide, a true friend, a true leader who will make
the time to share with you the realities of life and the requirement of your
journey.
Dear friend, resolve to apprehend all you need to be happy,
free and fulfilled. Connect with that person that will assist you. You need
someone, no one succeeds alone without help or support from others.
Don’t let pride keep you away from the sweet life, don’t be
stubborn in your mediocrity and obscurity. Find a helper. There are many good
role models around, many good coaches around, many successful yet humble
leaders around. Find them, connect with them, learn from them and zoom your way
to your destination.
There’s always a secret to every trade, every business, every
career and every accomplishment, seek the secret for yours and succeed.
Dear friend where are you going this year? How far are you going
this year? What major decisions are you making this year? What major event is
taking place in your life this year?
What’s the cost of your journey this year; how much money,
time and work are required for success? What sacrifices are required for you to
make – what pleasure, relationship, sleep and leisure do you need to give up?
What fresh needs do you have; people, association; study? What’s the guarantee
you’ll succeed? You need a guide! Enjoy your day.
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