Category: Success Unplugged

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Eagle Success Story: These SuccessTips Are For High Flyers.

eagle success story
Eagle Success Habits

The eagle, yes,” I would like to be an eagle,” I answered them. Hello, I know you are very curious to know why. Now, let me let you in. The place is Lagos Nigeria, and the event is the People-Prime Graduate Recruitment Fair. Like every other fresh graduate in town, I and my friend had the lofty ambition of landing the best Job. Hence, we went job hunting. We had a thrilling adventure applying for limited or non-existent jobs. This took us so many graduate fairs, talk shops, workshops, and seminars because we wanted to enrich our resumes and somehow get connections. That was how we landed here.

Sincerely, this particular graduate fair was so unique. It was so unique in the sense that it involved big-time major players from the oil and gas, banking, communication, financial, and manufacturing sectors. The private sector, multinationals, and government establishments were in full representation. After the introduction, keynote address, and talk shop by the who-is-who in the corporate world, it was time to go around the various stands of prospective employers.

Funny But Technical Question

It was in one of the stands for a popular multinational name withheld for personal reasons, that we were bombarded with one of the funniest albeit technical questions. For those of you in the human resources terrain, the question will be familiar. The question goes like this; in relation to your career, if you were to be an animal which one will you be, and why?

They took time to ask each and every one of us. Then they asked my friend what animal he would like to be, he said a sheep. When he was asked why he said he would sheepishly follow the management’s decisions and orders. He added that he would abide by the company’s rules and regulations. I then got my turn and I was asked which animal I would like to be – the eagle I answered. 

There are success lessons to learn from the eagle. The eagle as a bird is a symbol of strength, courage, and bravery. In this post, we shall look at five (5) distinctive features of an eagle.

Vision

If you are an eagle that means you have a good vision. Heard about Eagle-eyed? It means being very good at seeing or noticing. A strong vision is one of the eagle’s greatest assets.  It can see farther about 50 miles away from its present position. Vision is very important and necessary if you must succeed. In my book, I said that you cannot succeed beyond your vision. You can only succeed when you operate within the ambit of your vision.

Vision in this regard is the ability to see and explore opportunities. Your vision is your compass and blueprint in your quest for success. It answers the question of what to do. Hence, it breeds ideas. It is your vision that makes your success a reality. So like the eagle, you must have a vision in life if you intend to succeed.

Bravery

The eagle is not afraid of challenges. The storm does not intimidate it. It remains calm in the face of the daunting storm. The eagle by its bravery is able to face and overcome the turbulent storm. It graciously and effortlessly rides on the wind current gliding through the storm where no other bird dares to fly. In the face of challenges, you must be brave as the eagle. Your ability to confront and overcome your challenges defines your success. Don’t let your challenges intimidate you, you can make a piecemeal of them if you persevere.

In one of my posts, I did say that success is all about conquest. The more challenges you conquer or overcome the more successful you become. Like the eagle, you must dare to succeed by confronting your challenges headlong.

Eagle Soar

Eagle soars higher than any other bird. They can fly up to an altitude of 10,000 ft which no other birds can reach. Eagle has pride such that all its businesses are at the summit of very high trees, cliffs, or mountains. So, at such a great height, it can only mingle with other eagles. In one of my posts, see it here; I said that you must indulge in selective association. You must work with like minds, and high flyers. These are people that will motivate you to soar and also soar to greater heights with you. Work with a team of fellow eagles if you want to succeed in life.

If you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar – Major Collin Powell.  

Eagle retreats

The eagle has a habit of retreating when its strength is fast deteriorating, and it has become a threat to its survival. It is a period of a renewal process and can take about five to six months. This will help the eagle to renew and launch out in full strength. It improves mental strength and enables us to think clearly. This action increases creativity. Retreating also helps in stress management. It elongates life. Do you want to live long? Then find time to retreat. Just by retreating the eagle can add about 20 to 30 years to its age.

The eagle is a good mentor

Jn fact, mentoring in its purest form is a habit that is common among eagles. The eagle mentors her young ones. This mentorship trait can be detected in guiding her young eaglets in the flight process. At the right time, the eagle will take the young eaglet and put it on her back ready to coach her on how to fly. This process is intermittently repeated over a period of time until the young eaglet learns how to fly on its own. A mentor is an experienced instructor or guide. Someone, who takes a personal interest in your success and is committed to helping you to reach your full potential, and if you must soar and succeed in life like the eagle you need one.

Finally, in relation to success, if you were to be an animal which animal would you be, and why? Let’s have your opinion. God bless you.

Culled from my book “The Threshold of Life “. Get your Copy and Learn more about Success tips for successful living.

Be inspired, be determined, and dare to succeed.

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Power of Foresight

foresight

Are you envisaging success? Or are you seeking to reinforce or add energy to your quest for success? Then you need foresight. In fact, you must possess this essential quality for you to have a fair share of the bounties of success. It is a veritable tool and is very crucial in facilitating success. Consequently, any project or business that is not powered by foresight is as good as dead on arrival. Hence, the possession of foresight is a plus to success. It has a very strong impact on success.

What is foresight?

Foresight is the act or power of foreseeing future events. It is the ability to look forward in life. According to the Collins dictionary, foresight is the ability to see what is likely to happen in the future and to take appropriate actions. From the foregoing, we can deduce that the concept of foresight is a fusion of three important elements of success, namely vision, judgmental prowess, and action. Hence, with foresight one can clearly see his future; take bold steps to actualize his goals in life by making daring decisions that will have far-reaching effects. These are long-range decisions that will lead to an incredible quest for success.

For instance, Sam a young graduate has just landed a job as a software programmer. Now he has a glimpse of his career path for the next five to ten years. Even though Sam is not yet where he wants to be in his career, he understands that he is on a journey. From the level where he is at the moment, he can see the ‘promised land of his career. Basically, with foresight, he can plan and take actions that will enable him to reach the incredible end of his career. That is the beauty of foresight; it serves as a guideline on the journey en route to success.

In my own words, foresight is having insight into your future. It is binocular through which one can see far into the future from the present.

Have four eyes

I have four eyes but I am not a witch – Chief Olaka Agwara

The above statement is credited to my father-in-law of blessed memory. A great philosopher of life, gifted with the power of foresight. Now in line with this statement of fact, I assert that you must have four eyes for you to exercise the power of foresight. In other words, to have foresight is to have four eyes. When I say have four eyes it does not literally mean having two extra starry eyes on your forehead like a monster. Rather having four eyes by implication means exploring the extraordinary eyes of the mind. Apart from the physical eyes, we can as well explore the mind’s eyes. The mind has eyes with which you can visualize and imagine things. With the mind’s eye, you can vividly see, beyond your present, into your future. That is the eyes of understanding Apostle Paul once talked about which can help us visualize or imagine the glory that lies ahead of us.

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints – Ephesians 1:18

Engaging the mind’s eyes equates to foresight. Sam the young graduate in the above illustration could only see his career’s incredible end using the mind’s eyes. The mind’s eyes are not limited by distance nor by circumstances. It is wider in scope than the physical eyes. Therefore, for you to experience the power of foresight you must engage and maximally explore the mind.

Benefits of foresight

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Planning and strategizing

Planning is very crucial when it comes to success. There is a popular saying that when you fail to plan you are planning to fail. Foresight helps us in planning for success. It helps us plan, and strategize on the methodology we will adopt in achieving our enviable dreams and reach the incredible end in our quest for success. Planning then becomes your blueprint, your compass to guide you in the journey of success. it serves as a framework for decision-making.

Foresight helps in decision making

Prudence is foresight, and foresightedness is the ability to make immediate decisions on basis of their long-range effects- John Ortberg

Decision-making in any venture is very crucial. Foresight helps a great deal in making decisions. Not just making decisions but making the right ones. Through foresight, you can make smart decisions and our goals within reach. Making the right decision will always put you on the threshold of success. Decision-making entails making choices among alternatives in a bid to achieve set goals. Decision-making is the crescendo of planning. It is the execution of plans. And to execute these plans we must choose between options. Decision-making tests our judgmental prowess. Hence the power of foresight in decision-making is that it helps us to eliminate or reduce prejudice to the barest minimum. It engenders sound judgments in decision-making.

Foresight is good for business

Patience and foresight are the two most important qualities in business- Henry Ford.

When it comes to business, it is a very powerful quality one must possess. The power of foresight is that it gives insight into business trends. In order to succeed the entrepreneur must have it. It will give you insight on whether to invest or divest in any business portfolio, how to invest and the right timing to invest or diversify and make a profit based on the prevailing trend. Based on these trends you can project or forecast the growth of any business. Want to succeed in business? Then, have foresight. It helps you to cleverly define your business model for easy actualization of set goals and objectives.

It demystifies the future

Another power of foresight is that it helps us to see the future in the present. And any future we can see becomes no longer a mystery. Hence by it, one can demystify the future. The good news is that with foresight you can possibly dictate what direction the pendulum of life will swing in the future. Check out my post on the mystery of tomorrow for more details.

In addition, it helps you to prepare and to brace up for the challenges of the future. With such preparation, you are not in any way overtaken by the events and demands of the future. Nor are you in doubt of the future. Adequate preparation for the future is a function of foresight.

What is your take on foresight? Let me have your opinion. Remember to like and share the post if it has added value to your life

Be inspired, be determined, and dare to succeed.

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Assumption: the Termite of Success.

assumption termite of Success

It was Henry Winkler that said that “assumptions are the termites of relationships”. Now connect it to success, one can as well dub assumption as the ‘termites of success’. Like a termite assumption ravages the fabric of success. It eats up and destroys the gains of success. Therefore, the assumption as far as success is concerned is an unwanted guest. Assumption and success dine at totally different tables. They are poles apart.

What then is Assumption?

Assumption means something that you think is true although you have no proof. In the realm of success, the assumption is alien as every feat of success is based on facts and figures. And making assumptions can be detrimental to success.

Making assumptions simply means believing things are a certain way without little or no evidence that shows you are correct, and you can see at once how this can lead to terrible trouble – Lemony Snicket.

Truly, assumption causes terrible troubles to success. It has a negative impact and dire consequences on success, namely;

It is costly

Assumption is very costly. It can cost you your chance at success. I know of big-time companies that have gone off the radar of success just because of assumption. These companies at a certain period were controlling a large chunk of the market share in the industry, and then came this assumption that they are the best and so unrivaled by any. This will affect their services somehow and their customers have to look elsewhere for alternatives because there is no longer any guarantee of satisfaction from using such services. Hence, they suffered a loss of this massive market share to their competitors.

The worst thing that can happen to any individual or company is to think or assume they are unbeatable. Rather your preoccupation should be to work hard to be the best and to surpass your previous feat of success. You must know that just like you your competitors are also working hard to surpass you and be the best.

Assumption is dangerous

In terms of its consequences, an assumption could be very dangerous and deadly. I remember vividly a dangerous incident that took place, over two decades ago, because of an assumption. We went to the farm, and after the day’s job, it was time to clean up. There was this river in the neighboring community close to the farm. So we decided to go there and take our bath. Just as we approach the muddy water we could see children between the age brackets of 7 to 14 years swimming skillfully on top of the water as though it was shallow. My cousin saw those children plunged into the river and assumed he could swim in it.

Making such a fatal error nearly cost him his life, and the next moment he was a drowning man gulping some mouthful of the muddy water. It took the combined efforts of divers around to bring him out, and to press some quantity of water out of his swollen belly.

Assumption leads to prejudice

To assume that a bigger pipeline is a better pipeline is a dangerous assumption – Jason Jordan

One of the ills of assumption is that it makes people leap before they look instead of looking before they leap. A young man was doing very well in business before he had the opportunity to travel to Asia. He made an assumption that since his friend who has traveled and comes back was successful, he too will. Then, he hurriedly sold everything he had just to fund the travel. He later traveled to Asia but it was a journey into frustration. And after twelve wasteful years of futility and frustration, he came back like the prodigal son full of regrets to start from scratch. All these pains came because of assumptions.

Are you assuming that if you change your line of business like your friend you will be more successful? Or do you assume that if you get that bigger job offer you will succeed in your career? Think twice. Assumptions could be misleading as they can lead to face-value judgment or prejudice. Prejudice can also refer to unfounded or pigeonholed beliefs and it may include “any unreasonable attitude that is unusually resistant to rational influence”. The assumption that the bigger pipeline is always the best is a very wrong one. The bigger pipeline may be loaded with the explosives of frustration that can truncate your quest for success.

It stifles capacity

Success is a function of our productive capacity. Capacity in this regard is the ability to produce. And productivity enhances success. One of the problems of assumption is that it impinges on the capacity to produce and can degenerate into a grasshopper or defeatist mentality -a situation where you easily accept failure and defeat without putting up a fight.

Understand that failure is part of the process of success. So don’t assume you are a failure because you have failed severally. Assumption would have cost Thomas Edison the opportunity of becoming a successful inventor had he assumed himself a failure. After about a thousand failed experiments yet he did not assume himself a failure or a write-off.

Now let me ask you, have you failed up to a hundred times? Let me guess, No! Then don’t give up on that wonderful project, don’t throw in the towel instead work harder. Your next move could be the limit breaker. Hence, you must be analytical in your thinking. Think like this;

What went wrong?
How do I solve this problem?
What method do I apply?
What will be the result?
Will it be positive or otherwise?

How to deal with Assumption

Always ask questions; don’t make assumptions – Angela Ahrendts.

Curiosity is the weapon to deal with assumptions. Therefore be curious, be inquisitive. Learn to question the assumptions you make about a particular phenomenon. By asking questions you are challenging the very basis of such an assumption.

You must stick to your convictions, but be ready to abandon your assumptions – Dennis Waitley.

Curiosity dispels assumptions as it allows access to the fundamental knowledge of life. You must deal with every form of assumption because it is dangerous. It does more harm than good to success.

Remember to be inspired, be determined, and always dare to succeed.

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Dare to Stand Out Like the Goldfish

The place is Lagos, Nigeria, and the event, Olubankole Wellington, ( Banky W) and Adesua Etomi’s traditional wedding – BAAD 2017, on Sunday, November 19, 2017. When Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, one of the groomsmen, a TV personality showed up at the wedding occasion, he simply stole the show. And like a goldfish in the goldfish bowl there was no hiding place for him. Spotted in his uniquely stylish agbada aseobi, he stood out from the other groomsmen who were all mesmerized by his outfit. Everything about his agbada was very captivating. He looked so breathtaking in his superbly crafted agbada which trended for so many days after the wedding. He made big headlines because he stood out with his outfit. To stand out is akin to being successful. In other words, to be successful you must dare to stand out.

Now let’s relate it to success. Just like Ebuka, if you want to succeed and make headlines you must endeavor to stand out in everything you do. You must be able to distinguish yourself from the crowd. In my book, Conquest in Adversity; the Mystery of Another Spirit, I gave an illustration about Polaris or the North Star. And I did say that someone can easily distinguish it from other stars by its brightness and position. Note, there are billions of stars in our galaxy but the North Star stands out by its position and brightness. As a naked-eyed star, it can easily be spotted and differentiated from other (alpha ursae minoris) stars because by its attribute it is meant to stand out. So I will advise, if you want to stand out from the crowds don’t just be a star be a North Star.

Another vital attribute of the North Star is that it is a guiding star. It is a dependable indicator of the direction toward the geographic North Pole. And so it is a reference point in navigation or astrology. Once you stand out in success you will become a reference point to people who are eager to succeed like you. That is one big lesson to learn from standing out. You will only become a superstar, a role model, or a mentor only if you stand out in that which you do. In governance, business, academics, and investment you surely stand out.

Moreover, you will only be a shining example to them when, and if you stand out. They will look up to you for direction and guidance once you stand out. I am sure you know that after Ebuka’s agbada stint, he became a reference point. So many people began to make something similar to that because he stood out with his agbada. Basically, if you want to be a force to reckon on in any field you must dare to stand out.

Obviously, one important high mark of success is that it makes you stand out from others. However, you must be outstanding in what you do for you to be successful. You must be ‘fantastically sophisticated’ in all you do to be successful and therefore stand out. Even your thinking must also be sophisticated. You must think outside the box. Frantically think about measures that will give you a comparative advantage over other competitors.

Furthermore, you must take necessary actions that will distinguish you from the others. Consequently, if you are a corporate entity I recommend branding your services. A good brand will put you ahead of other players in the industry. You must also consider re-branding over time. Review your brands from time to time. This will enable you to consolidate your hold on the market through your brands. In the nearest future, I will do justice to the subject of branding.

In addition, you may also want to consider improving your packaging if you are into the production of consumer goods. Make your products catchy and attractive; make them unique among rivals to stand out. Then improve on your customer service management to woo customers, and get a fair share of the market. These and more are all you need to do to stand out from aggressive competitors. Remember the high mark of success is to stand out in any field and be exceptionally good as that is a signal of success. For you to succeed, always dare to stand out from others no matter what.

Be inspired, be determined, and dare to succeed.