Category: Success Unplugged

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Up the Ante: The Right Choice for Every Role Model.

up the ante

Up the ante should be the success mantra of every enterprising soul. It should ring like a bell in the consciousness of any individual who wants to have a rewarding and fulfilling life. With this consciousness, such an individual is well-disposed to raise the stake or standard of the game. It fires you to always go the extra mile and stretch your capability in every value-adding venture. You will do everything to get exceptionally good because people are looking up to you for inspiration.

And to illustrate this is a story of Mr. Dave who returned from the office at about 8 pm one fateful night. It happened that there was no light in the neighborhood as a result of the power outage. So after dressing down, he went outside to put on the generating set but it was not responding. As he bent down trying to fix the generating set his little daughter touched his biceps. And in consonance, she said, “My daddy is the strongest daddy in the world”.

Immediately, Mr. Dave was stunned beyond his imagination. He was immersed in deep thought. He has to reason within himself that even though he may not be the strongest man in the whole world, to his daughter he is. In her own little world, her father is the hero. This random incident taught him a bigger lesson in life. From that moment he resolved never to look down on himself since someone was looking up to him. He also resolved to up the ante, and succeed in order to make his daughter proud.

Someone’s Role Model

Understand that there are people looking up to you. Without mincing a word, you are someone’s role model that is the reason you up the ante. You must not look down on yourself for you not to disappoint them. One reality of life is that no matter your level in life there are still people who look to you for direction. To these people, your life or achievement has become a source of inspiration. And the only way not to fail them is to up the ante in everything you do. However, to do this you must try harder, and never give up or quit. Also, it is required that you abide by the principle of consistency of purpose. In addition, you must improvise. In other words, you must be fantastically sophisticated in your approach to capacity building and the quest for success.

Aim Higher

One major way that you can up the ante is to aim higher. You must always evaluate your performance within a given time frame. Then raise the standard or goal to build your capacity. Don’t settle for a life that is lesser than the one you are capable of, set higher standards and goals.

There is no passion to be found in playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living – Nelson Mandela.

Obviously, this is a golden rule of success. Life is in phases, and every phase in life has its own corresponding capability. So, to up the ante, your capability must match the current phase of your life. Do everything possible not to settle for anything lesser than your capability but rather go beyond your capability.

Another way you can up the ante is to unleash your talents. One fact about success is that there is a network of destinies connected to your own if you can up the ante and succeed in life. I did say earlier that a lot of people are looking up to you as their mentor, hero, and role model. Therefore, unleashing your talents will endear them to you because through your talents you will be able to reach out and touch their lives in a unique manner. Moreover, through your talents, you will wield a strong influence over them.

It is interesting to know that before people can look up to you they must have seen an overwhelming or unique (talent) or quality that will attract and compel their loyalty to you.

Self-Confidence

Self-confidence is also another way you can up the ante. You must possess this attribute within you or no one will repose their confidence in you. So, for people to look up to you, you must earn their confidence. And the way to do it is by exhibiting an attitude of self-confidence. Carry yourself with an air of confidence around you. People must know your ability or capacity to handle challenges and handle them well as they come. You must understand that no one will repose or mortgage their confidence in you if you are a person of low self-esteem, or bedeviled by an inferiority complex.

Like Dave, you must boost your self-esteem. It is your self-esteem that will inspire people to admire and look up to you as their mentor or role model. Finally, let me close with this

If the ante is lower, then you’re going to play hands you probably would not play – Ken Clemmer.

Endeavor to raise the standard in your approach and quest for success. You must increase your effort to rise above the challenges of life. And in every phase of life, you find yourself up the ante if you don’t want to play the second fiddle.

Imagine it, believe it, and dare to succeed.

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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.

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The Thief of Time #2: Dangers of Procrastination

Dangers of Procrastination

Procrastination comes with its own grave dangers. The dangers of procrastination are enormous. One common truth about procrastination is that it is an enemy of success. It is a thief of time, and time is of great essence in life. It is very harmful to success in so many ways. In areas of self-development, career development, and otherwise, it is a threat to success. Like I did say in my last post Procrastination is a chain we all must endeavor to break away from. Now, without much ado let us examine the dangers of procrastination.

Becoming a ‘Trailer’

Among the dangers of procrastination is the problem of becoming a ‘trailer’. While growing up one important piece of advice parents always give their children is that they should grow up with their peers. Children were told always to progress and succeed with their mates and never to be left behind. This advice kept us going as it helped us to take seriously every challenge and responsibility that will enable us to succeed in life. So as much as we could we avoided procrastination so that we will not be left behind.

Procrastination has a way of playing pranks on people, especially the youths. Young people will always think that they are full of energy and they have the whole time on earth. So instead of taking responsibility for success they will always defer or delay them.

My advice is to never do tomorrow what you can do today. Procrastination is the thief of time – Charles Dickens.

One problem with procrastination is that any time stolen or wasted can never be recovered in life. And that once you are left behind by your peers you will trail while they become trailblazers. Moreover, you will play the second fiddle as long as success is concerned.

Procrastination hinders Productivity

In the world of success, productivity is measured by our ability to achieve set goals and objectives. Hence, one of the dangers of procrastination is that our inability to achieve set goals hurts our productivity and renders us redundant while negatively affecting our success.

The logic is that each time we take responsibility we ascertain our productivity and also take a bold step towards success. But on the contrary, if we hesitate to take responsibility we are delaying achieving our set goals as well as prolonging our success.

Sense of Unfulfillment

Procrastination results in unfulfillment. It sparks the feeling of unfulfillment when one compares self with those that are setting the pace. Doing so might expose your inadequacies and deficiencies and eventually leads to an inferiority complex a situation where you conclude that others are better off than you. You will then see yourself as not good enough compared to other people. The inability to achieve set goals will make such people see themselves as inadequate and live with a sense of guilt. This might affect performance negatively.

Procrastination if left unchecked can degenerate into a grasshopper mentality. Grasshopper mentality no doubt comes with unmitigated disasters. It inhibits you from making attempts at success Hence, you are unable to put your ability and talents to test. It also leads to retrogression, and stagnation, and makes you accept defeat without making effort to redeem your situation. Above all, it keeps you in perpetual fear of the unknown.

Lose of Interest

Procrastination might also cause one to lose interest in life. This may lead to the abandonment of set goals and objectives, and the person might also want to opt-out of his or her dreams and visions. Procrastination hurts our emotions and poses a grave risk to our health. Struggling to meet up with dateline for delayed or postponed tasks might be too much for us to bear. It may lead to stress, depression, psychological or emotional trauma, nervous breakdown, etc

Eventually, regret will set in, and you will begin to ask yourself probing questions like; how did it happen? How did I find myself in this precarious situation? I have seen someone lose interest in pursuing his life’s dream of becoming a software programmer just because he couldn’t meet up with the dateline for the completion of the course. He blatantly told us that he is not good and will not make it as a programmer. How did it begin – procrastination? It is possible he was procrastinating about his studies delaying responsibilities. Be wise, shun procrastination today and avoid its dangers.

HOW TO DEAL WITH PROCRASTINATION

Set Realistic Goals

You must set goals that you can achieve within a given time frame if you must deal with procrastination. Such a goal must be unambiguous, realistic, and achievable. Sometimes, procrastination is not a result of bad time management but more a result of the nature of goals and objectives you set for yourself – whether such a goal is achievable within the time frame allotted to it or not.

For your information when a goal is unrealistic a situation arises where one keeps on delaying and postponing to a later date. A good goal encourages you to take prompt action, and achieve your set goals at a good turnaround time. Ask yourself, can I achieve these goals within a given time frame? If the answer is no, the goals are unrealistic and must be revisited. Revisit and re-evaluate your goals. Make them as realistic as possible. It is better to succeed gradually than to slip into the danger of procrastination.

Set your Priorities Right

Setting your priorities right is all about planning well. Good planning will help to curb the problem of procrastination. Ask yourself, what are those tasks that are very important to me? List them down; let them come first in the order of preference. You need to allot more time to very important ones. For instance, if your study is important to you don’t use the time for your studies to watch movies. Or if you have an appointment to keep don’t postpone it because you want to entertain visitors. You will always have enough time to entertain your visitors. Many have lost opportunities of becoming successful because they did not set their priorities right.

This action will enable you to be focused and deal with the problem of distraction, which is a major cause of procrastination. Setting your priorities right will help you to take responsibility one at a time. When you are focused you will not try to do everything at the same time. You will only focus on the most important tasks that matter to you.

Self Discipline

In order to deal with the problem of procrastination, you must exhibit a high level of self-discipline. By self-discipline I mean a high level of self restrain or self-control over habits that lead to procrastination. You must summon the will to say no to such habits. Let’s say someone’s health is at risk because of addiction, it will take a high level of self-discipline or restraint to suppress the strong urge for such substance when it comes. Not until such a person shows some restraint to the abuse of such substance, he or she will keep on procrastinating about stopping it. Such a person will eventually live in danger of a life-threatening ailment. 

Let’s look at another illustration. Suffice it to say you are preparing for exams and your friends come up with the idea of going to the club. You must dare to resist the urge to oblige their request. At first, this might seem very challenging for you but with a few more times of self restrain and discipline it becomes a habit. And with time you will learn how to counter procrastination by not deferring your goals again.

Be Adventurous

When I say adventurous I mean being curious in your approach to achieving your goals. In fairy tales, they say curiosity kills the cat but in the realm of success curiosity opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Curiosity is a quality related to inquisitive thinking such as exploration, investigation, and deep learning.

Curious people always ask questions and search for answers in their minds. Through curiosity, you are able to explore new grounds on problem-solving techniques. Curiosity helps you to deal squarely with the problem of procrastination as it increases the zeal and eagerness to find a solution for the task at hand instead of delaying and postponing it to a later date

In conclusion, take note of this, if you must keep a date with success, then deal with every form of procrastination.

Imagine it, believe it, and dare to succeed.