The Iyalode

Nigeria is one country where in pursuit of success, citizens put more emphasis on religion and miracles, than hardwork.

Whatever the religion, the average Nigerian is spiritually inclined and tend to quote a lot of scriptures out of context.

There was a time when it was commonplace for Churches to hold services at least three to five times during the course of a week, inclusive of Monday mornings. Usually, these mid week services would coincide with work hours and perhaps in pursuit of miracles, worshippers always flood the services.

Below are steps that can be adapted on the journey to seek success:

1. Work: Indeed God promised that He would bless the works of our hands. Emphasis on work! God is always ready to pour out blessings but the channel is through what He finds in our hands. He will not bless an idle hand, and He will not bless hands who do not stand out in the work that he finds to do.

It is also worthy of note that God did not specify what kind of work we have to do for Him to bless us. He just needs to find some labour in our hands. And history has shown that even the oddest of work, get world wide recognition and greatness.

Especially in a country like Nigeria, many things cannot be controlled and it can be frustrating. However, one can control whether he has a job doing, and how well he does the job.

2. Be exceptional: Whatever your hand finds to do, do it well (Eccl 9:10). It is not enough to find a work to do. Strive everyday to be exceptional at what you do and this just might lead to a big break. Learning from history, it does not matter what industry you choose to operate from, or what kind of work you choose to do…just do it well!

Coco Channel excelled in the fashion industry, not just because her hands found a work to do, but because she chose to be great at what she did, leading her to identify problems in that line of work, and provided solutions.

Nike started off as a distribution channel in America for shoes made in Japan. Honda started off as a mechanic and evolved into automobiles. Crocs was a simple idea to introduce super comfortable (howbeit ugly) footwear to the American audience.

All these businesses and more, existed in different industries and each excelled because of diligence, a desire to do something extraordinary, and consistency at what they believed in.

3. Audience: After all, you would require people other than yourself to part with their money, in order for your business to be considered successful.

When you have found to do, what you want to do, it is also important to go public.

Luke 8:16 says you can’t light a candle and then hide it under a vessel.

Matt 5:14 says let your light so shine before men that they may see your good work.

When your hand has found something to do, ensure you do it exceptionally well that everyone around you is awed. Always give a solution, through the works of your hand. Solving people’s problems will always leave people impressed. Once you have become great at what your hand finds to do, let it shine! Success isn’t meant to be hidden.

4. Knowledge: Knowledge is power, and knowledge is light (Daniel 11:32)

Proverbs 18: 15 further emphasizes it by saying the wise seek more knowledge.

Even when you feel you are the best at what you do, do not allow arrogance in. Knowledge is infinite, you will always need more. Never get to a point in life where you feel you have reached your peak. Seek more knowledge and the wisdom you acquire along the way will cause you to stand before Kings and great men.

5. Pour: Although gradually fading off, there is a part of the Nigerian culture that encourages secrecy, where people try hard to hold on to the knowledge they have acquired over time.

Knowledge however is like steam. The more you let out, the more is formed and just like a stream, it will always flow. When knowledge is shared, there is more room in the mind for expansion.

These principles if well followed, are a sure formula to get anyone to become an ‘overnight success’ because of a truth, the success seen is a culmination of long days and nights of hard work that resulted in preparedness which when met with opportunity becomes a volatile composition that erupts like a volcano.