Month: September 2022

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Made of Steel: Exhibiting Strong Steely Character

fantastically sophisticated

Made of steel is a short phrase that is usually inscribed on steel wares. Steel is a metallic element comprising iron and carbon. We have various types of steel like carbon steel, Alloy steel, Tool steel, and stainless steel.  Stainless steel is the most popular type in use. It is used to produce different items ranging from kitchen utensils, cutleries, home appliances, surgical equipment, industrial machines, automobiles, aircraft, etc.

We all have been opportune to make use of steel wares. Any ware made of steel is usually very hard, strong, rugged, and unbreakable. They are not easily damaged or destroyed.  Apart from being very strong steel is resistant to corrosion. It is also very readily and easily molded into various shapes.

 As I said earlier items made of steel are rugged. For instance, take any steelware around you and throw it up, then allow it to hit the floor. One thing you will observe is that it will not break rather it will be there in one piece for you to pick it up again. Also if an automobile is bashed in an accident such that the body shape is badly affected; all you need to do to put it back in shape is to panel beat and spray paint the steel body.

Unbreakable

Have you been badly bashed or hurt in life? You should understand that you are made of steel. It is important to know that being made of steel in this regard talks about your strength of character. As humans, we are all instinctive by nature. It is in our character to fight back with everything within our power when a particular area of our life is under threat. So, when we are bashed, pressed, or hit badly by the catatonic missiles of life, we must never give up or quit.

Being made of steel also entails exhibiting some steely character in the face of life’s challenges. One such characteristic is being flexible or malleable in the face of challenges. Steel can be hammered and pressed into shapes without breaking it. In real-life scenarios you may be pressed badly, panel beaten, or even bent by life’s circumstances. But one thing is sure. And that is, you are unbreakable. Challenges cannot break you because you are made of steel. That is the stuff we are all made of.

Steely Resistance

Resistance to corrosion is another important quality of steel. You are made of steel and so cannot get rusty. In fact, being tainted with the filth of life’s challenges cannot make your life rusty. Instead, just like the stainless steel, you will emerge shining and well-polished, free of rust. But you must show some resistance to your challenges. Challenge your challenges, don’t let them overwhelm you.

Steely Resilience

Resilience and determination are two characteristics you must manifest. This is the time of the year when we have all made some resolutions; different resolutions on how to succeed this year. However, if you must succeed and have a fulfilling year you must be determined to live up to your resolutions. Resilience and determination are two important keywords for you if you must make it this year.

Presently, life is embroiled with so many life-threatening challenges coupled with the challenges of the post-covid-19 world. This is a bizarre trying period for every one of us. Many hopes are dashed; many dreams were not actualized, and many goals were not fulfilled. To some of us, this is the most dangerous moment of our lives. Howbeit, discovering the stuff you are made of is the magic wand you need in a time like this. You are made of steel and so have everything it takes to wade through the tides of life. There is no doubt these challenges are overwhelming and seem to break you but you must exhibit these steely characters. Interestingly, it is only those that are made of steel that will succeed.

Don’t be intimidated by your problems. You may be badly pressed by challenges but you must be resistant to challenges. Determine to rise above your challenges. Dare to succeed because you are made of steel.

Imagine, believe, dare the Impossible

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Tragedy of Success

tragedy of success

Complacency is the greatest tragedy of success. It is a threat that if we fail to manage well can lead to the tragedy of success.

The tragedy of life is not found in failure but in complacency. Not in you doing too much, but doing little. Not in you living above your means, but below your capacity. It’s not failure but aiming too low; that is life’s greatest tragedy – Benjamin E. Mays.  

With my head drooped down and my face on the floor. I couldn’t look him in the face. And all I could only do was wish the ground would just open up and swallow me. The scolding was becoming unbearable as he ferociously lambasted me, each time yelling at me, ‘’you disappointed me’’, ‘’I thought you would do better, now see where your complacency has landed you’’, he fumed. That day I felt very guilty like never before.

It Almost Ended Tragically

At this point let me let you in. After my primary education, there was an offer for a scholarship through secondary school. And as a prerequisite, we were expected to pass the written test. The test was in two parts. As expected I was outstanding in the first test, coming first ahead of every other candidate, and this pleased my mentor, my former headmaster. He was so impressed with my performance, and so he encouraged me to do better in the second lap of the test. And to prepare me for the test he gave me some reading material that he believed would be beneficial to me in passing the final test.

Actually, I goofed; I was so complacent about the test. Instead of studying the material given to me, I wasted time playing around with kids in my neighborhood, not minding the danger ahead that I might fail the test and thereby lose the scholarship. What really happened was that I was satisfied with my performance in the first test, so I relaxed thinking that the second would be a walkover. However, after the final test, I performed woefully and my mentor was so furious at me. Even though I got the scholarship yet I felt very bad and guilty because I performed abysmally when I was supposed to fly high. That is the danger of complacency. My complacent attitude could have led to the tragedy of success in that exams.

Stud in the Wheel of Success

Indeed, complacency is a tragedy of success. It is often said that success comes with the danger of complacency, and this statement of fact to a large extent is correct. So complacency is a threat every success-minded person must squarely deal with. Succinctly put complacency is the feeling of smug or calm satisfaction with your own abilities, achievement, or situation that prevents you from trying harder. It comes with the ‘I have arrived’ feeling, a situation where one feels lackadaisical about improving his or her situation. It entails hibernating or retreating to the comfort zones because one feels a sense of security. Technically, complacency means to rest on one’s laurels or oars.

A complacent person is very pleased with his or her current achievements and feels that he or she does not need to do anything about a situation even though the situation may be uncertain or dangerous. Thus, complacency is a very wrong attitude to success. In my post on ‘success and the attitude question’, I did say that success is an attitude and that when it comes to success attitude is everything. So, the wrong attitude amounts to a wrong footing on the threshold of success. Complacency pushes you off the threshold of success. It is the architecture of your downfall.

From Top to Bottom

Climbing the tree of success requires a lot of effort, but falling is an effortless experience. It is an easy and free fall from top to bottom. Understand that a little complacency results in a massive fall, or a slip from the summit of mount success. Moreover, if it is left unchecked could lead to distortion of the systemic order of success. Eventually, it will snowball into an unpleasant situation where one begins to live in his or her past glory. This is a tragedy of success. 

Overrating Leads to Complacency

Complacency is a dangerous threat to success. The danger of it is that it limits progress. Success is progressive. It is often said that the largest room in this life is room for improvement. By your inaction, you cannot improve on your situation and progress to the next level on the success ladder. There is no limit to success. The more effort you put in with the right attitude the higher your ranking on the success log, and vice versa. The problem of complacency is often not unconnected to overrating, especially when one is overrated in relation to others if it is not well handled, it may lead to self-satisfaction.

Understand that the race to success is a competitive one so while you are resting on your laurels others are working assiduously to surpass your achievements. For instance, in the game of football, the overrated teams are often punished by the underdogs because of complacency. Whether you are an individual or a corporate entity if you want to succeed or to remain within the threshold of success you must shun complacency. It is the tragedy of success.

Aim Higher

Don’t settle for less. It is a tragedy of success to settle for less when you can do more. Always do more to improve your situation. Don’t lose the steam rather let off more steam as this will keep your success train in motion. Remember no matter how successful you think you are there are more grounds to break, more coasts to explore, more empires to build, and more horizons to reach. And only you by your complacency can stop you.

What is your own experience with complacency? Share it in the comment thread.

Imagine it, believe it, and dare to succeed.