Welcome to #GYG (Give Your Greatness) Day 8. If you missed the last 6 days, you can read up HERE. #GYG is a 10 days tweet series compiled daily and published on this blog.
#GYG means Give Your Greatness and many people have asked, 'how can I give what I don't have?' You and I know that you have something inside you to give your world even though things do not seem to be working now. The fact that things are not working in your life at the moment doesn't mean you have no greatness to give your world. I need you to know that ‘challenges’ and 'problems' are not peculiar to you alone. The best of men have them too. Even God who created the universe had challenges. If you don't believe check Gen 1:2 (..and the earth was without form and void). If God who created you and I had challenges why do you think you and I will be spared? #GYG
I know you have prayed about these challenges over and over again and it seem not to be going away – it is because you are a great man. I understand what it means not to feel like praying when your pastor leads those ‘cliche’ prayers because you have prayed them severally. When your pastor declares 'God will change your story' and you say Amen, not because you believe it but because it's necessary. I know you are not happy; you don't feel like smiling because the problems are weighing you down. I understand! You cannot afford to be down because of problems and challenges. God had problems and he wasn't down because of it. #GYG
In the course of Giving Your Greatness to the world you will face challenges that will make you want to give up but don't succumb. It was shortly after God's challenges that the earth was created. Shortly after the challenges of David in the hands of Saul he became the King and ascended the throne promised him. Shortly after Israelite's challenges they conquered the Philistine. Challenges are bound to show up just when your greatness is about to happen. Don't give up just yet. Know that your greatness is about to be announced if you are on the verge of committing of suicide. No matter how bad things seem to be, be aware that your greatness will soon be obvious and those challenges are only distractions. #GYG
Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning. We give up at night, hence, the reason why we miss joy in the morning. So you may have been crying for many nights, don't lose faith; you will surely laugh again – it's a matter of time. One of the major attributes of men who gave the world their greatness is that they are incurable optimist. Thomas Edison who invented the incandescent bulb light tried and failed a thousand times but he kept going. You cannot afford to lose your 'optimism' and become pessimistic. Pessimism is word you find in the lives of mere men. #GYG
How come Mandela stayed in Prison for 27 years and refused all the deals he was being offered? OPTIMISM! Don't lose yours! Optimism is the stuff that great men are made of and when the world thinks low of them they keep giving their greatness. Tonight, it is my intention that you keep the optimism despite how many times you may have failed. Your failures are only temporary; your greatness will soon be pronounced. Give Your Greatness even in the face of challenges and troubles – that is how we know if greatness is for you or not. #GYG
So you want to be celebrated? You want to make impact and change lives? Challenges will come but great men are always Optimistic. Let people ask you why you are laughing when you should be crying and your response will be 'great men are always optimistic' #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! | Twitter/Instagram: @OlatunjiLEGEND | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
Saturday, November 29, 2014
#GYG Day 7: Performing Miracles Daily like one Moses Did in AncientIsrael! By Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Welcome to #GYG (Give Your Greatness) Day 7. If you missed the last 6 days, you can read up HERE. #GYG is a 10 days tweet series compiled daily and published on this blog.
#GYG means to Give Your Greatness – every man has a measure of greatness inside him but giving it is an individual responsibility. There is a fascinating story in the bible I love. Moses was resting in the bush and God asked him to go to Egypt; to go and save the Israelites who were staying in Egypt. He thought God made a mistake and he asked God for a sign. Typical of most of us, we don't believe we are great except we achieve some dramatic feats. God asked Moses what he had in his hand. Moses replied "a rod" but when he threw it down, it turned to a snake – even Moses ran. Moses ran because he didn't know he had been carrying a snake all-around thinking it was a rod but there's a great lesson there. #GYG
Like Moses God did not create any man without his own 'rod'. There is a 'rod' that you can turn to whatever you like. Like Moses God did not create you without your own 'rod'; you have a rod that can help you perform daily miracles. Moses was surprised his rod turned to snake and that's why he ran, until God told him to pick it up. If only Moses knew all these while that in his hand was such a miracle he would have gone to save the Israelites earlier. There is greatness in your hand; if only you can see how BIG what you have can become if you throw it down like Moses. Moses was carrying a miracle around but he thought it was only a rod - you are carrying your own greatness already without knowing. It is significant to note that every time Moses confronted a problem God usually asked him "What is in your hand?" Every time you face that problem that seem to be weighing you down God is asking you the same question 'what's in your hand?' #GYG
Don't be afraid of challenges and problems but be afraid if you have nothing in your hands like Moses did. Moses had a rod which he turned to snake by throwing down. You have a voice you can turn to money or favour. Moses had a rod and it made water gush out from a rock. You have cooking skills, make money with it or keep your man with it. Moses had a rod and he won battles with it; you have in your own hand the winning formula to life's battle. If only you knew. The solution to your money problem is in throwing down your own 'rod' like Moses did his BUT what's your own 'rod'? #GYG
Until you identify your 'rod' you will never be able to command a Moses-like miracle in your own life. It is God's intention that every human profits from what's in their hands; like a rod in Moses hand there is something in your hand. Jesus needed to feed 5000 people and all he used was the 5 loafs and 2 fishes at hand. What's in your hand? God will not save you with what you don't already have. All that you need for greatness in life are already in your hand. #GYG
Your own 'rod' could be speaking, cooking, making hair, sports, etc but there's something in your hand that'll give you your greatness. A great speaker I know, Steve Harris said ‘it's not what you don't have that limits you but what you have and don't know how to use’ #GYG
How did Moses turn a rod (what was in his hand) into a snake? He threw it down! Throw your own 'rod' down too. The reason you are begging people all around is because you don't know the potential of what you carry in your hand. There is a skill or gift that has been lying fallow inside you - it is time to throw it down like Moses did his rod. You will never know true greatness until you lay down your own 'rod' too like Moses did in front of Egypt's King. People have seen your 'rod' (gifts and skills) with you for so long but they have never seen you use it like God intended. When government people asked Jesus for tax, he sent Peter to go and get money with Peter's 'rod' (fishing). You have your own rod. #GYG
To give your greatness is to throw down your 'rod' – it is to use your gifts – it is to maximise your potentials and abilities. God wants you to give the world your greatness and he wants you to start now with the people around, with the gifts you have. Some people’s miracle ‘rod’ is the relationships God has placed around them but they don't know how to use it. Take note: there is a reason why you are so gifted and skilled in those areas. There's a reason you are so passionate about that particular cause or subject matter – throw it down (in it lies your greatness). #GYG
So are you asking yourself this question 'what do I do to be great in life?' The answer is 'what do you have in your hand?' What is in your hand? What special abilities do you have? What skill do you have that can save the world? That's your own 'rod'. if you don't use your rod like Moses used his you will never smell greatness - it's hard but it's the truth. #GYG
#StepUpToGreatness
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! | Twitter/Instagram: @OlatunjiLEGEND | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
#GYG means to Give Your Greatness – every man has a measure of greatness inside him but giving it is an individual responsibility. There is a fascinating story in the bible I love. Moses was resting in the bush and God asked him to go to Egypt; to go and save the Israelites who were staying in Egypt. He thought God made a mistake and he asked God for a sign. Typical of most of us, we don't believe we are great except we achieve some dramatic feats. God asked Moses what he had in his hand. Moses replied "a rod" but when he threw it down, it turned to a snake – even Moses ran. Moses ran because he didn't know he had been carrying a snake all-around thinking it was a rod but there's a great lesson there. #GYG
Like Moses God did not create any man without his own 'rod'. There is a 'rod' that you can turn to whatever you like. Like Moses God did not create you without your own 'rod'; you have a rod that can help you perform daily miracles. Moses was surprised his rod turned to snake and that's why he ran, until God told him to pick it up. If only Moses knew all these while that in his hand was such a miracle he would have gone to save the Israelites earlier. There is greatness in your hand; if only you can see how BIG what you have can become if you throw it down like Moses. Moses was carrying a miracle around but he thought it was only a rod - you are carrying your own greatness already without knowing. It is significant to note that every time Moses confronted a problem God usually asked him "What is in your hand?" Every time you face that problem that seem to be weighing you down God is asking you the same question 'what's in your hand?' #GYG
Don't be afraid of challenges and problems but be afraid if you have nothing in your hands like Moses did. Moses had a rod which he turned to snake by throwing down. You have a voice you can turn to money or favour. Moses had a rod and it made water gush out from a rock. You have cooking skills, make money with it or keep your man with it. Moses had a rod and he won battles with it; you have in your own hand the winning formula to life's battle. If only you knew. The solution to your money problem is in throwing down your own 'rod' like Moses did his BUT what's your own 'rod'? #GYG
Until you identify your 'rod' you will never be able to command a Moses-like miracle in your own life. It is God's intention that every human profits from what's in their hands; like a rod in Moses hand there is something in your hand. Jesus needed to feed 5000 people and all he used was the 5 loafs and 2 fishes at hand. What's in your hand? God will not save you with what you don't already have. All that you need for greatness in life are already in your hand. #GYG
Your own 'rod' could be speaking, cooking, making hair, sports, etc but there's something in your hand that'll give you your greatness. A great speaker I know, Steve Harris said ‘it's not what you don't have that limits you but what you have and don't know how to use’ #GYG
How did Moses turn a rod (what was in his hand) into a snake? He threw it down! Throw your own 'rod' down too. The reason you are begging people all around is because you don't know the potential of what you carry in your hand. There is a skill or gift that has been lying fallow inside you - it is time to throw it down like Moses did his rod. You will never know true greatness until you lay down your own 'rod' too like Moses did in front of Egypt's King. People have seen your 'rod' (gifts and skills) with you for so long but they have never seen you use it like God intended. When government people asked Jesus for tax, he sent Peter to go and get money with Peter's 'rod' (fishing). You have your own rod. #GYG
To give your greatness is to throw down your 'rod' – it is to use your gifts – it is to maximise your potentials and abilities. God wants you to give the world your greatness and he wants you to start now with the people around, with the gifts you have. Some people’s miracle ‘rod’ is the relationships God has placed around them but they don't know how to use it. Take note: there is a reason why you are so gifted and skilled in those areas. There's a reason you are so passionate about that particular cause or subject matter – throw it down (in it lies your greatness). #GYG
So are you asking yourself this question 'what do I do to be great in life?' The answer is 'what do you have in your hand?' What is in your hand? What special abilities do you have? What skill do you have that can save the world? That's your own 'rod'. if you don't use your rod like Moses used his you will never smell greatness - it's hard but it's the truth. #GYG
#StepUpToGreatness
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! | Twitter/Instagram: @OlatunjiLEGEND | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
#GYG Day 5: Lessons From the life of Chaz B! By Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Welcome to #GYG (Give Your Greatness) Day 5. If you miss the last 3 days own, you can read up HERE. #GYG is a 10 days tweet series compiled daily and published on this blog.
I heard about the passing of the amazing OAP, Chaz B and it was sad news even though I'm not much of a radio listener. The name Chaz B has impacted many that don't even listen to radio; it's not uncommon to hear people cite him during conversations. I believe the passing of Chaz B is a great loss to the 'voices of inspiration' in this country - we need more men like this. But come to think of it, there are a lot of people doing 'inspiration' but how many will be missed like Chaz B when gone? #GYG
I'm a sold out inspiration messenger but I'll not shy from telling myself d truth. Inspiration is not just talk – it is a lifestyle. Inspiration is not the ability to say a few motivational rhymes like Bishop Oyedepo; if you are not him it will never sound right. Many people have jumped on the bandwagon living the life they are not called to live in spaces they are not meant to occupy. The truest condolence I have read on Chaz B is from Kehinde Ajose, he said "He (Chaz B ) found his space and he impacted his world. That last statement changed everything about me today. It made me realise that you can have a great message on a wrong platform. That Chaz B statement made me realise that you can be doing the right thing in a very wrong space. #GYG
Operating in your space will make you famous for your message but outside of your space you will only continue to work. Chaz B found his space and he impacted his world – Kehinde Ajose. Where is your own space? Think! Bill Gate's space was IT and more recently Charity - you will never know true greatness and fulfilment outside your own space. Imagine a Lionel Messi as a serial entrepreneur? He 'may' make money like Dangote but he will never reach his height of greatness. Until you locate your space you will never be able to give the world your greatness. #GYG
Don't jump on TV when your space is radio; it's possible you do both but is your space both? Stop doing unnecessary things; engaging in many activities is not the same as impacting your world. Find your space! Jumping up and down from one place to another may do good to your ego but are you sure you are operating from your space? Paul was a good preacher but his 'space' was letter writing - he wrote many parts of the New Testament. Paul is impacting more people today even in death because he located his own space. Every space is not your space. Paul is the greatest Apostle (I stand to be corrected) because he found his space (letter-writing). Find your own! #GYG
Your space may not be as bogus as 'motivational speaker', 'OAP', 'Pastor' etc; remember that Paul is remembered more for his letters. Your space is that unique platform that you create or find yourself in; it is where your purpose thrives more. Chaz B although a man with an amazing voice may speak at events occasionally but he knew his space - radio. Chaz B found his space on Inspiration FM and Nigerians never remained the same for it. #GYG
Where is your own space? From what space are you currently operating from? Is that where your purpose will thrive more? So many people who ought to be caring for children at Motherless babies’ home are busy running seminars – go to your space. Locate your own space! Don't jump on TV and Radio just yet; is that where your purpose will thrive more? Your greatness is in that place where your purpose will thrive. Until you locate that place giving your greatness won't yield. Some people's space is in the kitchen but they are someone trying to be famous – you will never find true greatness that way. #GYG
David's space was Psalms. Solomon's space was Proverbs - there is something peculiar to you, probably your own unique creation. Create or locate your own space and impact your world from there. Every man has his own space; you have not found greatness because you are operating in someone else's space. It will be insane for me to try to operate from the space of a 'nation builder' more than Fela Durotoye; that is FD's space. I will never find true greatness trying to operate from the space of 'Life Coach's Coach' more than Lanre Olusola – that's his space. #GYG
Chaz B's message was inspiration but he didn't try to do it the Steve Harris's way - he found his own space. Oprah Winfrey is inspiring millions via her Talkshow – she didn't go the radio route because TV was her space. To not find and operate within your space is to harm your chances at greatness; your chances are sure in your own space. Tyler Perry is changing mindsets and inspiring millions but he's not doing it the Chaz B way – he found his own space. #GYG
Do you really want to thrive greatly? The answer is in locating your own space and 'spaciously' occupying the place. Your greatness is in your space. Chaz B gave the world his greatness from his own space. I challenge you to find or create your own space and give us your greatness. #GYG
Keep giving your greatness. #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! | Twitter/Instagram: @OlatunjiLEGEND | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
I heard about the passing of the amazing OAP, Chaz B and it was sad news even though I'm not much of a radio listener. The name Chaz B has impacted many that don't even listen to radio; it's not uncommon to hear people cite him during conversations. I believe the passing of Chaz B is a great loss to the 'voices of inspiration' in this country - we need more men like this. But come to think of it, there are a lot of people doing 'inspiration' but how many will be missed like Chaz B when gone? #GYG
I'm a sold out inspiration messenger but I'll not shy from telling myself d truth. Inspiration is not just talk – it is a lifestyle. Inspiration is not the ability to say a few motivational rhymes like Bishop Oyedepo; if you are not him it will never sound right. Many people have jumped on the bandwagon living the life they are not called to live in spaces they are not meant to occupy. The truest condolence I have read on Chaz B is from Kehinde Ajose, he said "He (Chaz B ) found his space and he impacted his world. That last statement changed everything about me today. It made me realise that you can have a great message on a wrong platform. That Chaz B statement made me realise that you can be doing the right thing in a very wrong space. #GYG
Operating in your space will make you famous for your message but outside of your space you will only continue to work. Chaz B found his space and he impacted his world – Kehinde Ajose. Where is your own space? Think! Bill Gate's space was IT and more recently Charity - you will never know true greatness and fulfilment outside your own space. Imagine a Lionel Messi as a serial entrepreneur? He 'may' make money like Dangote but he will never reach his height of greatness. Until you locate your space you will never be able to give the world your greatness. #GYG
Don't jump on TV when your space is radio; it's possible you do both but is your space both? Stop doing unnecessary things; engaging in many activities is not the same as impacting your world. Find your space! Jumping up and down from one place to another may do good to your ego but are you sure you are operating from your space? Paul was a good preacher but his 'space' was letter writing - he wrote many parts of the New Testament. Paul is impacting more people today even in death because he located his own space. Every space is not your space. Paul is the greatest Apostle (I stand to be corrected) because he found his space (letter-writing). Find your own! #GYG
Your space may not be as bogus as 'motivational speaker', 'OAP', 'Pastor' etc; remember that Paul is remembered more for his letters. Your space is that unique platform that you create or find yourself in; it is where your purpose thrives more. Chaz B although a man with an amazing voice may speak at events occasionally but he knew his space - radio. Chaz B found his space on Inspiration FM and Nigerians never remained the same for it. #GYG
Where is your own space? From what space are you currently operating from? Is that where your purpose will thrive more? So many people who ought to be caring for children at Motherless babies’ home are busy running seminars – go to your space. Locate your own space! Don't jump on TV and Radio just yet; is that where your purpose will thrive more? Your greatness is in that place where your purpose will thrive. Until you locate that place giving your greatness won't yield. Some people's space is in the kitchen but they are someone trying to be famous – you will never find true greatness that way. #GYG
David's space was Psalms. Solomon's space was Proverbs - there is something peculiar to you, probably your own unique creation. Create or locate your own space and impact your world from there. Every man has his own space; you have not found greatness because you are operating in someone else's space. It will be insane for me to try to operate from the space of a 'nation builder' more than Fela Durotoye; that is FD's space. I will never find true greatness trying to operate from the space of 'Life Coach's Coach' more than Lanre Olusola – that's his space. #GYG
Chaz B's message was inspiration but he didn't try to do it the Steve Harris's way - he found his own space. Oprah Winfrey is inspiring millions via her Talkshow – she didn't go the radio route because TV was her space. To not find and operate within your space is to harm your chances at greatness; your chances are sure in your own space. Tyler Perry is changing mindsets and inspiring millions but he's not doing it the Chaz B way – he found his own space. #GYG
Do you really want to thrive greatly? The answer is in locating your own space and 'spaciously' occupying the place. Your greatness is in your space. Chaz B gave the world his greatness from his own space. I challenge you to find or create your own space and give us your greatness. #GYG
Keep giving your greatness. #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! | Twitter/Instagram: @OlatunjiLEGEND | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
Friday, November 28, 2014
#GYG Day 4: You want to see farther? Get a Mentor! By GabrielOlatunji-Legend
Welcome to #GYG (Give Your Greatness) Day 4. If you miss the last 3 days, you can read up HERE. #GYG is a 10 days tweet series compiled daily and published on this blog.
#GYG means to 'Give Your Greatness' but we need to ask ourselves, 'how did those who gave their greatness do it?' When you see a man doing great things it is not because he is smart, it is because there is a greater man helping him. To give your greatness to your world you need a superior knowledge, a superior experience and a superior personality. For Joshua to excel he needed a Moses; for Elisha to perform double miracles he needed an Elijah. You need a mentor. Mentorship has been overstated but it's the truth – your greatness is buried inside you; there's someone who can help you resurrect it. #GYG
God made us in such a way that we should be accountable to someone per time, that's why we came through a family. Your first mentors ought to be your parents but the problem is that, for some of us, our parents are not right mentors. If your parents cannot offer you the right mentorship, it is imperative that u get someone who has walked the path you want to walk. Mentorship is a needed prerequisite for you if you want to unleash your greatness. #GYG
Mentors are ladders you climb in order for you to see farther. You have operated on this level long enough; you need a mentor who will help you move your butt to the next level. What do you use a menthol sweet for? To clear your throat! Without a mentor your life stays unclear. It is arrogance to live life as if you know it all and need no help; people like that fall in places they don't expect. It is arrogance to go into an exam hall without listening to the lecturer - you are most likely going to fail. You can save yourself a lifetime of problems by having men and women who know much more than you do around you. #GYG
What do you want to accomplish in life? Ask yourself, 'who has done this thing or something related before?' walk up to the person. Those who identify and associate with mentors early in life move faster than those who don't. There is greatness inside you and you need a mentor to help you give it to your world. If the level you are at is okay by you, go right ahead and do your thing but if you want a higher level, get a higher experience. #GYG
Lastly, even if you want to reach the heaven there’s someone who has been there before – identify that person and get direction. #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! | Twitter/Instagram: @OlatunjiLEGEND | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
#GYG means to 'Give Your Greatness' but we need to ask ourselves, 'how did those who gave their greatness do it?' When you see a man doing great things it is not because he is smart, it is because there is a greater man helping him. To give your greatness to your world you need a superior knowledge, a superior experience and a superior personality. For Joshua to excel he needed a Moses; for Elisha to perform double miracles he needed an Elijah. You need a mentor. Mentorship has been overstated but it's the truth – your greatness is buried inside you; there's someone who can help you resurrect it. #GYG
God made us in such a way that we should be accountable to someone per time, that's why we came through a family. Your first mentors ought to be your parents but the problem is that, for some of us, our parents are not right mentors. If your parents cannot offer you the right mentorship, it is imperative that u get someone who has walked the path you want to walk. Mentorship is a needed prerequisite for you if you want to unleash your greatness. #GYG
Mentors are ladders you climb in order for you to see farther. You have operated on this level long enough; you need a mentor who will help you move your butt to the next level. What do you use a menthol sweet for? To clear your throat! Without a mentor your life stays unclear. It is arrogance to live life as if you know it all and need no help; people like that fall in places they don't expect. It is arrogance to go into an exam hall without listening to the lecturer - you are most likely going to fail. You can save yourself a lifetime of problems by having men and women who know much more than you do around you. #GYG
What do you want to accomplish in life? Ask yourself, 'who has done this thing or something related before?' walk up to the person. Those who identify and associate with mentors early in life move faster than those who don't. There is greatness inside you and you need a mentor to help you give it to your world. If the level you are at is okay by you, go right ahead and do your thing but if you want a higher level, get a higher experience. #GYG
Lastly, even if you want to reach the heaven there’s someone who has been there before – identify that person and get direction. #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! | Twitter/Instagram: @OlatunjiLEGEND | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
Friday, November 21, 2014
#GYG Day 3: Your Fine Face is not a Selling Point! by GabrielOlatunji-Legend
Welcome to Day 3 of #GYG (Give Your Greatness)
Once upon a time there was a need to anoint a king in ancient Israel and Prophet Samuel was almost anointing Eliab because he was cute. Eliab was so cute that when Prophet Samuel saw him he didn't bother to consult God, he assumed he will be the King but God said No! Instead of Eliab (the cute) God choose David (not-so-cute). God choose the not-so-cute David as opposed to the cute Eliab because Kingship and greatness does not answer to looks. #GYG
Eliab is what you can call cute but his inside wasn't anywhere cute. It takes your inner beauty to give greatness to your world. He was tall, probably dark and handsome but he had an empty brain; that's a no-no for God. Eliab's looks qualified him to join King Saul's army but his look wasn’t enough to make him a King. Your fine look may get you the pretty babes but that's all you can be – a playboy. 'I'm Pretty' or 'I'm Handsome' should not be your selling point – it should only be an added advantage. If the only thing you have to give your world is your fine face – you are of all men the poorest. #GYG
Don't let your packaging be empty – your content (especially in your field) is what will sell you not what you wear. What do you know that I don't know? What character have you built that I desire? You are not your fine face neither are you your 'killer curves' – you are a sum total of what you know. Don't be disappointed when people deny you things based on your looks, if they know better they'll do better. Some of us disregard people based on the way they look but when we hear their profile we pay them attention – Hypocrisy. #GYG
By all means look great but don't do it at the detriment of the development of your brain. It's nice to spend 5 hours at the salon but it'll be great to invest two hours daily developing your mind. Develop your brain more than you pancake your face. Don't make-up your face alone – your mind needs a better make-up. The men who have given the world their greatness paid more attention to self development than the way they look. Jesus was already picking the mind of professors at the age of 12 – no wonder he trained uneducated men and people marvelled. The greatness inside of you will not answer to packaging; it will answer to quality content (self development). #GYG
Are you empty barrels with a pretty face or you are a combination of self development and facial packaging? You can have both (pretty face and pretty mind) but you have to work on both daily. Don't neglect one for the other. Every time you take time out to pick your suit and cut your hair, remember to also shop for a book or attend training. Mandela was a popular civil rights lawyer in his youths and he wasn't a bad looking man either. You can do both! #GYG
Developed Mind plus Packaged Face equals Great Product. Are you a great product? David was learning in the bush, reading and writing; he didn't have the face or the body but the throne couldn't resist his mind. What your 'ugly' face or bad packaging cannot give you, a good and developed mind will.
Develop yourself – Read one chapter of a book daily
Listen to a CD daily
Learn something new daily and the world won't be able to resist you.
Great men are unrepentant learners – if you want to Give Your Greatness you must imitate them. How can you give the world your greatness when you have nothing up there to give? Your looks may admit you into the King's army like Eliab but who you have trained yourself to become will make you defeat a Goliath. Your look may bring you into the presence of a king but when you open your mouth you may be asked to leave. If you get a 5 minutes privilege to meet President Obama, will you be taking a selfie or engage him mentally? You can brag about a selfie with President Obama but self development will make Obama invite you to the white house. Get a book now and write top 5 questions you will ask a revered role model or mentor if you get a 5 minutes appointment with him or her. Write out 5 questions you will ask Obama if you were to meet him today. Preparation + Opportunity = Luck. #GYG
Take a look at this, 'the quality of the questions you write will determine the reception you will get'. The questions you ask an Obama also determine your mental state (whether developed or not developed); the questions you ask mentors are as a result of the wisdom you have gathered over time, not how good you look. A mentor will respect you for your wisdom and not your clothes. If you want to be the first to be called look good but if you want to be FIRST, get First-Class Self Development. Pay attention to your mental development – this is the stuff that great men are made of. #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! Twitter: @OlatunjiLEGEND | Instagram: OlatunjiLegend | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
Once upon a time there was a need to anoint a king in ancient Israel and Prophet Samuel was almost anointing Eliab because he was cute. Eliab was so cute that when Prophet Samuel saw him he didn't bother to consult God, he assumed he will be the King but God said No! Instead of Eliab (the cute) God choose David (not-so-cute). God choose the not-so-cute David as opposed to the cute Eliab because Kingship and greatness does not answer to looks. #GYG
Eliab is what you can call cute but his inside wasn't anywhere cute. It takes your inner beauty to give greatness to your world. He was tall, probably dark and handsome but he had an empty brain; that's a no-no for God. Eliab's looks qualified him to join King Saul's army but his look wasn’t enough to make him a King. Your fine look may get you the pretty babes but that's all you can be – a playboy. 'I'm Pretty' or 'I'm Handsome' should not be your selling point – it should only be an added advantage. If the only thing you have to give your world is your fine face – you are of all men the poorest. #GYG
Don't let your packaging be empty – your content (especially in your field) is what will sell you not what you wear. What do you know that I don't know? What character have you built that I desire? You are not your fine face neither are you your 'killer curves' – you are a sum total of what you know. Don't be disappointed when people deny you things based on your looks, if they know better they'll do better. Some of us disregard people based on the way they look but when we hear their profile we pay them attention – Hypocrisy. #GYG
By all means look great but don't do it at the detriment of the development of your brain. It's nice to spend 5 hours at the salon but it'll be great to invest two hours daily developing your mind. Develop your brain more than you pancake your face. Don't make-up your face alone – your mind needs a better make-up. The men who have given the world their greatness paid more attention to self development than the way they look. Jesus was already picking the mind of professors at the age of 12 – no wonder he trained uneducated men and people marvelled. The greatness inside of you will not answer to packaging; it will answer to quality content (self development). #GYG
Are you empty barrels with a pretty face or you are a combination of self development and facial packaging? You can have both (pretty face and pretty mind) but you have to work on both daily. Don't neglect one for the other. Every time you take time out to pick your suit and cut your hair, remember to also shop for a book or attend training. Mandela was a popular civil rights lawyer in his youths and he wasn't a bad looking man either. You can do both! #GYG
Developed Mind plus Packaged Face equals Great Product. Are you a great product? David was learning in the bush, reading and writing; he didn't have the face or the body but the throne couldn't resist his mind. What your 'ugly' face or bad packaging cannot give you, a good and developed mind will.
Develop yourself – Read one chapter of a book daily
Listen to a CD daily
Learn something new daily and the world won't be able to resist you.
Great men are unrepentant learners – if you want to Give Your Greatness you must imitate them. How can you give the world your greatness when you have nothing up there to give? Your looks may admit you into the King's army like Eliab but who you have trained yourself to become will make you defeat a Goliath. Your look may bring you into the presence of a king but when you open your mouth you may be asked to leave. If you get a 5 minutes privilege to meet President Obama, will you be taking a selfie or engage him mentally? You can brag about a selfie with President Obama but self development will make Obama invite you to the white house. Get a book now and write top 5 questions you will ask a revered role model or mentor if you get a 5 minutes appointment with him or her. Write out 5 questions you will ask Obama if you were to meet him today. Preparation + Opportunity = Luck. #GYG
Take a look at this, 'the quality of the questions you write will determine the reception you will get'. The questions you ask an Obama also determine your mental state (whether developed or not developed); the questions you ask mentors are as a result of the wisdom you have gathered over time, not how good you look. A mentor will respect you for your wisdom and not your clothes. If you want to be the first to be called look good but if you want to be FIRST, get First-Class Self Development. Pay attention to your mental development – this is the stuff that great men are made of. #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend; Transformational Writer! Twitter: @OlatunjiLEGEND | Instagram: OlatunjiLegend | BB PIN: 2BAC2A15
Thursday, November 20, 2014
#GYG Day 2: Who is to be blamed for my woes? by Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Welcome to #GYG (Give Your Greatness). It's the 2nd day of the 10 days series. My goal is to help you unleash your greatness (bring out the greatness in you).
I was born in what you can call a slum in Lagos. I am the last child from my family and whether I am successful or not it was up to me; many people have similar story. Nobody cares if you make it in life or not, it is your responsibility but if you do, good for them. The onus lies on you to be successful and great. You cannot blame anybody for failure and that was what I discovered early in life. My parents may be poor, may have given birth to me in the slum but if I still live in the slum today they are not to be blamed. I must admit that it'll be nice to have been born in places like VGC, Banana Island and probably be the son of Aliko Dangote but the reality is that I was not born anywhere close to those places and Aliko Dangote is not my father. The responsibility is on me. #GYG
Stop blaming your parent for your woes; they gave birth to you already and they won't be the first parent to be poor. Go and Work! Your parents are like your drivers into this world and from a certain age you lose the right to blame them for your problems. Once, my friends were gaining admission into higher institutions and I was home; I blamed my parents for my woes but that didn't solve the problem. It was the day I decided I was ready to go to school that I gained admission. It's all about YOU my friend. Blame No One! #GYG
You are the architect of your life; if you don't like the 'structurer' design tear it down and build again. It's no one's fault. When things are not working do not be quick to blame anybody, not even the devil. My Friend, take the blame first. We live in a culture that blames everyone else for our troubles except ourselves. Even our leaders blame each other. The hallmark of a Great leader and a great person is that they have learnt to take responsibility for failures. Until you are ready to blame yourself if things go wrong things will never go right. Things go wrong because there's someone else to blame. When you cannot blame your father, mother, girlfriend, or mentor for your failure except yourself, that's when you are ready to give your greatness. #GYG
David was the last child of Jesse and he had all the right in the world to blame Jesse for being just a Shepherd but he didn't. David is a character I love in the bible because aside from God helping him he orchestrated his greatness with his own hands. David would be correct to blame his father (why would he be the only one to go to the bush?) but instead he trained himself. Instead of blaming people for things that go wrong at your office ask yourself about the trainings you need to fix the wrongs. #GYG
In the bush David would compose songs, play instruments and fight animals instead of blaming someone – that was his training. The world is waiting for you to Give Your Greatness but those who still blame others for their troubles cannot have any of that. If I am poor it is my fault. If I am great it is my fault. If I fail it is my fault – this is the mentality of great people. I have come to let you know that your boss is not the reason you have not been promoted. Shift the blame to yourself! #GYG
I heard a man say his wife is the reason for his downfall but I said to him 'your wife was a fool for marrying you'. Any man who blames a woman for his financial troubles is no man at all and cannot be counted among the greats. King Solomon in ancient Israel had hundreds of wives and concubines and none of them ever complained of money. Man, blame yourself. If I can't feed my wife and children, I have no moral right to blame either of them for it; they didn't ask to be married or born. The first person to blame when you feel like blaming someone else is YOU. Things will change the day you cannot take the blame no more. #GYG
So who have you been blaming for your failures? That is not one of the strengths of people who gave the world their greatness. Wife, your husband may be the head of the family but stop blaming him (only) for the troubles at home; you had a choice before you choose him. Employee, your employer is not to blame for your inability to grow and add value to your organisation; you are to be blamed. Instead of blaming someone else blame yourself; then do something about it. Great men do what has to be done for desired result. #GYG
What will you do starting from today? You will get training, you will give no room for blame, and you will go after your dream. To give your greatness is to take responsibility for the good and the bad that happens to you. That's what great men are made of. I challenge you to give your greatness to the world, your country, your state, your local government, your street and family. Do not blame the government for the failings in your personal life; only mediocres who have no place in Great places do that. #GYG
Make a solemn promise today that you will Give Your Greatness to the world and you will never blame anybody for your failings. When there is no one to blame there will be no one (not even yourself) stopping you from attaining your place in greatness. #GYG
Finally, be happy like David, go after your dreams boldly like him and resist the urge to blame anyone but yourself. Give You Greatness #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Transformational Writer!
Web: www.olatunjispeaks.com
Twitter: @OlatunjiLEGEND
Instagram: OlatunjiLegend
BB: 2BAC2A15
I was born in what you can call a slum in Lagos. I am the last child from my family and whether I am successful or not it was up to me; many people have similar story. Nobody cares if you make it in life or not, it is your responsibility but if you do, good for them. The onus lies on you to be successful and great. You cannot blame anybody for failure and that was what I discovered early in life. My parents may be poor, may have given birth to me in the slum but if I still live in the slum today they are not to be blamed. I must admit that it'll be nice to have been born in places like VGC, Banana Island and probably be the son of Aliko Dangote but the reality is that I was not born anywhere close to those places and Aliko Dangote is not my father. The responsibility is on me. #GYG
Stop blaming your parent for your woes; they gave birth to you already and they won't be the first parent to be poor. Go and Work! Your parents are like your drivers into this world and from a certain age you lose the right to blame them for your problems. Once, my friends were gaining admission into higher institutions and I was home; I blamed my parents for my woes but that didn't solve the problem. It was the day I decided I was ready to go to school that I gained admission. It's all about YOU my friend. Blame No One! #GYG
You are the architect of your life; if you don't like the 'structurer' design tear it down and build again. It's no one's fault. When things are not working do not be quick to blame anybody, not even the devil. My Friend, take the blame first. We live in a culture that blames everyone else for our troubles except ourselves. Even our leaders blame each other. The hallmark of a Great leader and a great person is that they have learnt to take responsibility for failures. Until you are ready to blame yourself if things go wrong things will never go right. Things go wrong because there's someone else to blame. When you cannot blame your father, mother, girlfriend, or mentor for your failure except yourself, that's when you are ready to give your greatness. #GYG
David was the last child of Jesse and he had all the right in the world to blame Jesse for being just a Shepherd but he didn't. David is a character I love in the bible because aside from God helping him he orchestrated his greatness with his own hands. David would be correct to blame his father (why would he be the only one to go to the bush?) but instead he trained himself. Instead of blaming people for things that go wrong at your office ask yourself about the trainings you need to fix the wrongs. #GYG
In the bush David would compose songs, play instruments and fight animals instead of blaming someone – that was his training. The world is waiting for you to Give Your Greatness but those who still blame others for their troubles cannot have any of that. If I am poor it is my fault. If I am great it is my fault. If I fail it is my fault – this is the mentality of great people. I have come to let you know that your boss is not the reason you have not been promoted. Shift the blame to yourself! #GYG
I heard a man say his wife is the reason for his downfall but I said to him 'your wife was a fool for marrying you'. Any man who blames a woman for his financial troubles is no man at all and cannot be counted among the greats. King Solomon in ancient Israel had hundreds of wives and concubines and none of them ever complained of money. Man, blame yourself. If I can't feed my wife and children, I have no moral right to blame either of them for it; they didn't ask to be married or born. The first person to blame when you feel like blaming someone else is YOU. Things will change the day you cannot take the blame no more. #GYG
So who have you been blaming for your failures? That is not one of the strengths of people who gave the world their greatness. Wife, your husband may be the head of the family but stop blaming him (only) for the troubles at home; you had a choice before you choose him. Employee, your employer is not to blame for your inability to grow and add value to your organisation; you are to be blamed. Instead of blaming someone else blame yourself; then do something about it. Great men do what has to be done for desired result. #GYG
What will you do starting from today? You will get training, you will give no room for blame, and you will go after your dream. To give your greatness is to take responsibility for the good and the bad that happens to you. That's what great men are made of. I challenge you to give your greatness to the world, your country, your state, your local government, your street and family. Do not blame the government for the failings in your personal life; only mediocres who have no place in Great places do that. #GYG
Make a solemn promise today that you will Give Your Greatness to the world and you will never blame anybody for your failings. When there is no one to blame there will be no one (not even yourself) stopping you from attaining your place in greatness. #GYG
Finally, be happy like David, go after your dreams boldly like him and resist the urge to blame anyone but yourself. Give You Greatness #GYG
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Transformational Writer!
Web: www.olatunjispeaks.com
Twitter: @OlatunjiLEGEND
Instagram: OlatunjiLegend
BB: 2BAC2A15
Wednesday, November 19, 2014
#GYG Day 1: Introduction to Greatness by Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen. Welcome to #GYG series starting today and will be on for the next 10 days. What is #GYG? It means 'Give Your Greatness' and as simplistic as that sounds majority of people are doing the opposite. To 'Give Your Greatness' is to live a life of excellence that is worth emulating; a life with a purpose for others and not just you. #GYGGreatness is promised to everyone but sadly not everyone will be great. The opportunity to be great is glaring right at you in the face but you are too busy with frivolities, not recognising it. There are opportunities everywhere for you to assume your Greatness Throne but you are waiting for Opportunity to announce itself. You have Greatness in your DNA but you are waiting for Prophet TB Joshua to tell you before you believe it, so sad. The seed of Greatness is in every man but it will only remain a seed in majority of people; only a few will get to harvest it. #GYG
Ladies and Gentlemen, the world is waiting for your greatness. If you don't give it, we won't notice that you have it. As simple as this may sound I want you to know that the opportunity to be great is staring at you but it’s not cheap. Great opportunities will cost you something. To die on the cross was an opportunity for Jesus to sit at the right hand of God. The opportunity for Jesus to sit at the right hand of God (Greatness) didn’t come cheap; it came in form of death, shame and pain. It takes a great and well built mind to recognise such opportunity that Jesus had and maximise it. A fool would squander it. #GYG
So you want to be like Jesus, change lives like he did, make disciples like him? There's a Greatness to give and it's not cheap. Jesus will forever be the greatest man that ever lived not because he is the son of God, so am I but he Gave His Greatness to us. When Jesus saw an opportunity to Give His Greatness, Peter saw death and that's why he said Jesus should stop saying He'll die. I'm saying that Greatness will cost you something. It cost Jesus his life but He gave it anyway. What are you willing to give? Peter saw death but Jesus saw eternal life and life at the right hand of God (Greatness). There's a pain you have to endure. The opportunities that'll give you the kind of influence Jesus commanded will not be given to you on a platter of gold. The opportunity to be great will come in some form of pain but great men have learnt to understand that pain is a part of life. #GYG
That is why there are two types of pain - the pain of regret and the pain of discipline. The pain of discipline makes people great. The pain of discipline is Opportunity for Greatness in disguise but most people do not know it. You see why I say that the world is waiting for you to give your greatness but you are just not seeing it yet. To be great is to be disciplined. To be 'un-great' is to lack discipline in areas of your life. Guys, Give humanity your Greatness. #GYG
Prison was Joseph's opportunity to the palace and that is pain - don't get it twisted; your opportunity to be great isn't cheap. Your Greatness opportunity may mean that you will PURPOSELY drink garri for one year (pain). Your opportunity to be great may mean you will starve yourself of delicacies and delicious meals like Daniel and his friends. For Daniel to meet King Nebuchadnezzer he had to give up the delicious meal being offered to him. What do you need to let go of? For Mandela to be great he had to let go of power as intoxicating as Power could be – that is discipline. Give Your Greatness. #GYG
The moment Mandela handed over power was the moment he gave the world his greatness. It takes a disciplined man to do that. Mandela went to prison but that's not why he is great because Mugabe and Obasanjo also went to prison. For some of us our Greatness opportunity is making personal sacrifices that will ultimately affect our destinies positively. What sacrifice have you made for your future lately? That is part of giving humanity Your Greatness. Investing in yourself is part of giving humanity your Greatness; you have reduced the number of nuisance in our world #GYG
As I conclude tonight I want to challenge you to give humanity your Greatness by developing yourself, by disciplining yourself. Humanity is desperately waiting for you to Give her your greatness but take note that it won't come cheap. Pain isn't such a bad thing as long as it's not the pain of regret. Endure pain today and enjoy Greatness tomorrow. I ask you again, what sacrifice are you making for your greatness to suffice? Nothing goes for nothing! Daniel, Mandela, Jesus were great men but that Greatness cost them something. A cheap greatness is no greatness at all. #GYG
Let's continue this #GYG series on Twitter tomorrow. It'll be on for the next 10 days. I will love to hear your feedback. #GYG (Give Your Greatness)
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Transformational Writer!
Founder: olatunjispeaks.com
Twitter: @OlatunjiLEGEND
Instagram: OlatunjiLegend
BB: 2BAC2A15
Friday, November 14, 2014
"Dear Protege, My Heart is Heavy" by Steve Harris
#DearProtege ... my heart is heavy and I'd like to get a few things off my mind.
Dear Protege,
You might not like what I'm about to tell you, but you know me, I'm gonna keep it real. I know it's not easy. The economy seems to be going in one direction and people younger than you seem to be hammering; I know you look at mentors and role models like Alibaba, Leke Alder, Fela Durotoye and want their stuff, but hold on a second. Don't be in a hurry to drive their cars and earn their pay checks. Can you pay the price of their success? I know what you're thinking, ‘it's easy for you to say, Steve. I've heard your gist too’.
Dear Protege, I know you've seen the successes of GenerationNOW like Bankole Williams, Jimi Tewe, Dr. Tylor, Paul Foh, can you pay their price? Do you know that Bankole Williams left his well paying job at GTbank and took a 50% pay cut to pursue his dreams? Can u imagine how hard it was for him when he wasn't able to buy stuff he was previously used to? Try doing that for a year. Ask Bankole Williams how many times his laptop went off when NEPA struck and he didn't have 15k to buy a new battery. Ask him how many times he wanted to go back to paid employment because he couldn't pay his bills; he has paid his dues. Now you see Bankole Williams rock ‘Ouch’ or David Wej clothing and travel on holidays and you're beefing him? You've got it wrong.
I could tell you about my friend, Paul Foh; he's one crazy guy who inspires me daily. Paul Foh keeps it real – a man from a humble background with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. I met Paul Foh seven years ago when he came to visit Fela Durotoye in PH. He came with a huge 'Ghana must go' bag of books. Three years ago, Paul Foh took a risk and hopped into his SUV and relocated his wife and two sons from PH to Lagos not because he wanted to hammer, but because he had value that would be better expressed in Lagos. They slept on the floor in a friend’s apartment for days. Thank God for the good women in our lives who believe even if they don't understand us. Vision is personal to the visionary. I know for a fact that Paul Foh reads at least two books a week and is up daily from 3am to 6pm learning and honing his craft. So when you see Paul Foh in Dubai or SA speaking or selling thousands of his books in one cheque, don't knock his hustle.
I can't even begin to talk about Jimi Tewe who was a Senior Manager in a bank in his early 30's and left all; he already owned his house and decided that the call was too great. So he left the job and sold off the 5 Bedroom Duplex; his wife thought he was nuts. But thank God for good wives, she supported him even though she didn't understand him.
Dear Protege, there are more I could mention like Remi Dairo, Dr. Tylor, Abiola Champ who have paid prices greater than you know; don't be fooled, it's not all glitz and glam. In the words of Jude Abaga (MI) #mesefIbehumanbeing. Dear Protege, don't be in a hurry to 'blow' or 'hammer'. There is a price and it's heavy! While it seems there's a cabal; Bankole Williams, Jimi Tewe, Iheanyi Ejiogu, Dr Tylor, etc., don't be fooled, we are bonded by sacrifice. Admission into that 'cabal' is the price of sacrifice. The rubber's hit the road, the shit hit the fan, but we kept walking. Are you ready to serve like Elisha or turn around to take my gold like Gehazi? Don't be fooled, I know which one you are. 'Mentoring' is not by mouth, 'serving' is not by asking. What value do you bring to the table?
Ask Maureen Iyasele who left a lucrative career as an Engineer in Mobil to answer the call to help graduates get jobs. How much will graduates pay Maureen Iyasele compared to Mobil? Yet she self funded ‘the jobmag’; she inspires me! Even I volunteered with Fela Durotoye for 5 months without pay coming from Iyana Ipaja to VGC. I know you'll tell me you have nothing to offer. Yes you do. Your mentors have PROBLEMS or DESIRES. Can you solve them? Put yourself in our shoes. Everywhere we go, people ask to work with us or 'serve' us. Why should I choose you? What's your USP? And if you don't know what a USP is, see why I can't mentor you? You don't speak my language; your mentor speaks a language. Leke Alder speaks branding, Fela Durotoye speaks nation building, Jimi Tewe speaks Career; if all you speak is skelewu or shoki, they can't help u. Don't say you wanna 'serve' and then ask me to pay your "TFare". Sacrifice will cost you something!
Dear Protege, sometimes I've had it up to 'here' with you. And I'm gonna tell you. How you invade my privacy, look me up with TrueCaller, flash me and say “Sup” on WhatsApp, get my BBpin without permission. Alibaba and Leke Alder are role models to me, while I may have access to them; I'll never reach out without their permission. It is the prerogative of the MENTOR to reach out to the protege and not the other way round. Respect BOUNDARIES. Having my CONTACT doesn’t give u ACCESS. I have contact with Alibaba and Leke Alder; ACCESS is their right to give or deny. Even when you have ACCESS, don't take it for granted. I've known Fela Durotoye for 9 years. He's not 'my guy' even though we're very close. I respect his authority over me. Don't come with a chip on your shoulder. Don't presume you know more than I do. Respectfully suggest, don't instruct me. I probably shouldn't 'send' you. I've been told to let you make your mistakes, so you can crash and burn, but I can't. I know you see me as your competition. I've got a red dot on my chest with a bullet with my name on it.
Dear Protege, so while you 'serve' me and plan to betray me, don't forget you reap WHAT you sow, not WHERE you sow! So, all I've said, it's been outta love. I'm not here to stifle you. This job is harder than it looks! I can't tell you the number of jobs I lost because I didn't give a bribe and I didn't have food at home. When your time comes, will you fail the test? When the ladies are winking at you, HARD AS IT IS, will you be MAN ENOUGH to say NO, and be called a SLACKER ? I'm not saying that I'm perfect, cause me sef I be human being o. ‘Cause’ when the blood flows 'down', your brain shuts down. Stay accountable. I have men I listen to and can keep me straight and narrow and won't soothe my ego. You need such friends; you need your THREE! Even Jesus had Peter, James and John. I have Jimi Tewe, Iheanyi Ejiogu and Bankole Williams.
Dear Protege, I haven't always wanted to do the right thing. I haven't always done the right things either, WHO HAS? But I'm trying. I've got ONE QUESTION for God when I meet Him in person. Why does doing BAD feel so damn GOOD? So before you judge me, look in the mirror. Do you know how many times I got offered N3M to do a N5M job that Fela Durotoye sent me to bid for that I turned down? That means the CLIENT offered to PAY ME N3M to do it myself instead of paying my company 6M and my salary was 300k 63. What would you do if you were me, knowing your company would NEVER KNOW? Honestly, no B.S.
Dear Protege, I've poured my heart out. So David, even though you know the throne has been promised to you, can you resist the urge to sit on the throne before your time? 'cause killing the KING is an act of treason. Don't take the throne. It must be GIVEN to you. Serve your time faithfully. And perhaps one day, you can be a better King than I ever could be.
Dear Protege, God bless you and Good night!
The above are tweets from the handle of Steve HARRIS, Nigeria’s foremost Life Strategist and motivational speaker. On Twitter, he is known to say what’s on everybody’s mind but they have refused to share. To read the tweets, go to his handle, @IamSteveHARRIS or click the hashtag #DearProtege. If you were impacted, do leave a comment below.
Dear Protege,
You might not like what I'm about to tell you, but you know me, I'm gonna keep it real. I know it's not easy. The economy seems to be going in one direction and people younger than you seem to be hammering; I know you look at mentors and role models like Alibaba, Leke Alder, Fela Durotoye and want their stuff, but hold on a second. Don't be in a hurry to drive their cars and earn their pay checks. Can you pay the price of their success? I know what you're thinking, ‘it's easy for you to say, Steve. I've heard your gist too’.
Dear Protege, I know you've seen the successes of GenerationNOW like Bankole Williams, Jimi Tewe, Dr. Tylor, Paul Foh, can you pay their price? Do you know that Bankole Williams left his well paying job at GTbank and took a 50% pay cut to pursue his dreams? Can u imagine how hard it was for him when he wasn't able to buy stuff he was previously used to? Try doing that for a year. Ask Bankole Williams how many times his laptop went off when NEPA struck and he didn't have 15k to buy a new battery. Ask him how many times he wanted to go back to paid employment because he couldn't pay his bills; he has paid his dues. Now you see Bankole Williams rock ‘Ouch’ or David Wej clothing and travel on holidays and you're beefing him? You've got it wrong.
I could tell you about my friend, Paul Foh; he's one crazy guy who inspires me daily. Paul Foh keeps it real – a man from a humble background with an insatiable thirst for knowledge. I met Paul Foh seven years ago when he came to visit Fela Durotoye in PH. He came with a huge 'Ghana must go' bag of books. Three years ago, Paul Foh took a risk and hopped into his SUV and relocated his wife and two sons from PH to Lagos not because he wanted to hammer, but because he had value that would be better expressed in Lagos. They slept on the floor in a friend’s apartment for days. Thank God for the good women in our lives who believe even if they don't understand us. Vision is personal to the visionary. I know for a fact that Paul Foh reads at least two books a week and is up daily from 3am to 6pm learning and honing his craft. So when you see Paul Foh in Dubai or SA speaking or selling thousands of his books in one cheque, don't knock his hustle.
I can't even begin to talk about Jimi Tewe who was a Senior Manager in a bank in his early 30's and left all; he already owned his house and decided that the call was too great. So he left the job and sold off the 5 Bedroom Duplex; his wife thought he was nuts. But thank God for good wives, she supported him even though she didn't understand him.
Dear Protege, there are more I could mention like Remi Dairo, Dr. Tylor, Abiola Champ who have paid prices greater than you know; don't be fooled, it's not all glitz and glam. In the words of Jude Abaga (MI) #mesefIbehumanbeing. Dear Protege, don't be in a hurry to 'blow' or 'hammer'. There is a price and it's heavy! While it seems there's a cabal; Bankole Williams, Jimi Tewe, Iheanyi Ejiogu, Dr Tylor, etc., don't be fooled, we are bonded by sacrifice. Admission into that 'cabal' is the price of sacrifice. The rubber's hit the road, the shit hit the fan, but we kept walking. Are you ready to serve like Elisha or turn around to take my gold like Gehazi? Don't be fooled, I know which one you are. 'Mentoring' is not by mouth, 'serving' is not by asking. What value do you bring to the table?
Ask Maureen Iyasele who left a lucrative career as an Engineer in Mobil to answer the call to help graduates get jobs. How much will graduates pay Maureen Iyasele compared to Mobil? Yet she self funded ‘the jobmag’; she inspires me! Even I volunteered with Fela Durotoye for 5 months without pay coming from Iyana Ipaja to VGC. I know you'll tell me you have nothing to offer. Yes you do. Your mentors have PROBLEMS or DESIRES. Can you solve them? Put yourself in our shoes. Everywhere we go, people ask to work with us or 'serve' us. Why should I choose you? What's your USP? And if you don't know what a USP is, see why I can't mentor you? You don't speak my language; your mentor speaks a language. Leke Alder speaks branding, Fela Durotoye speaks nation building, Jimi Tewe speaks Career; if all you speak is skelewu or shoki, they can't help u. Don't say you wanna 'serve' and then ask me to pay your "TFare". Sacrifice will cost you something!
Dear Protege, sometimes I've had it up to 'here' with you. And I'm gonna tell you. How you invade my privacy, look me up with TrueCaller, flash me and say “Sup” on WhatsApp, get my BBpin without permission. Alibaba and Leke Alder are role models to me, while I may have access to them; I'll never reach out without their permission. It is the prerogative of the MENTOR to reach out to the protege and not the other way round. Respect BOUNDARIES. Having my CONTACT doesn’t give u ACCESS. I have contact with Alibaba and Leke Alder; ACCESS is their right to give or deny. Even when you have ACCESS, don't take it for granted. I've known Fela Durotoye for 9 years. He's not 'my guy' even though we're very close. I respect his authority over me. Don't come with a chip on your shoulder. Don't presume you know more than I do. Respectfully suggest, don't instruct me. I probably shouldn't 'send' you. I've been told to let you make your mistakes, so you can crash and burn, but I can't. I know you see me as your competition. I've got a red dot on my chest with a bullet with my name on it.
Dear Protege, so while you 'serve' me and plan to betray me, don't forget you reap WHAT you sow, not WHERE you sow! So, all I've said, it's been outta love. I'm not here to stifle you. This job is harder than it looks! I can't tell you the number of jobs I lost because I didn't give a bribe and I didn't have food at home. When your time comes, will you fail the test? When the ladies are winking at you, HARD AS IT IS, will you be MAN ENOUGH to say NO, and be called a SLACKER ? I'm not saying that I'm perfect, cause me sef I be human being o. ‘Cause’ when the blood flows 'down', your brain shuts down. Stay accountable. I have men I listen to and can keep me straight and narrow and won't soothe my ego. You need such friends; you need your THREE! Even Jesus had Peter, James and John. I have Jimi Tewe, Iheanyi Ejiogu and Bankole Williams.
Dear Protege, I haven't always wanted to do the right thing. I haven't always done the right things either, WHO HAS? But I'm trying. I've got ONE QUESTION for God when I meet Him in person. Why does doing BAD feel so damn GOOD? So before you judge me, look in the mirror. Do you know how many times I got offered N3M to do a N5M job that Fela Durotoye sent me to bid for that I turned down? That means the CLIENT offered to PAY ME N3M to do it myself instead of paying my company 6M and my salary was 300k 63. What would you do if you were me, knowing your company would NEVER KNOW? Honestly, no B.S.
Dear Protege, I've poured my heart out. So David, even though you know the throne has been promised to you, can you resist the urge to sit on the throne before your time? 'cause killing the KING is an act of treason. Don't take the throne. It must be GIVEN to you. Serve your time faithfully. And perhaps one day, you can be a better King than I ever could be.
Dear Protege, God bless you and Good night!
The above are tweets from the handle of Steve HARRIS, Nigeria’s foremost Life Strategist and motivational speaker. On Twitter, he is known to say what’s on everybody’s mind but they have refused to share. To read the tweets, go to his handle, @IamSteveHARRIS or click the hashtag #DearProtege. If you were impacted, do leave a comment below.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Myles Munroe: Should I Cry? By Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Sobbing profusely, I entered her office.
"What is the problem?" She inquired.
I kept on sobbing, going high and low in my tune. She couldn't help seeing me cry yet it was clear she couldn't hold me because she didn't even know why I was crying. She handed me tissue papers at intervals and after a little while I calmed and spoke out.
"My whole life is a tragedy!" I wailed. "I lost my father. He was everything to me. He loved me like no other. I would cry in his arms and he would make sure I never cried over the same matter twice; he had a way of always solving my problem and the problems of everyone around him. He was once the chairman of Landlord's association of our street and at the end of his two term tenure, people were begging him to continue because of the impact he made in his own little sphere. I miss him so much and I wish he didn't die!"
She looked at me and was about to say something when I interrupted her again..
"Why him? Why? Tell me, why do good people die? Just the other day I mourned at the untimely death of Bimbo Odukoya and now it is my own father. Is it not better that some of the people looting our national treasury and the corrupt people in government die rather than my father?" I raised my voice angrily. A moment of silence followed.
"Can I ask you a question?", she inquired gently.
"Go ahead please", I replied silently.
"Did your father live a life of purpose?" She asked.
I was about to shout 'Yes' when she continued, "Was he a problem to his world or a solution? Did he die empty or there's a lot he could have done that he never did? Are you happy that you came through him or sad?"
She paused as if to see if I understood the questions and then continued. "Think about these things. If your father lived a life of purpose, was a solution instead of constituting nuisance to the society, died empty and you are excited that you came to the world through him then you shouldn't be crying. Instead you should be dancing BECAUSE the greatest tragedy in life is not death - it is a life without a purpose."
I wiped my tears immediately, gave her a good hug and went back home. Days later, I wrote on his (my father) tomb - 'A man that gave the world his greatness. He died empty'.
I then asked myself, 'will my son be able to say the same about me?'
Short story dedicated to an Apostle of Purpose, Dr. Myles Munroe. I could write a collection of short inspirational stories on him; he lived his purpose thereby inspiring me to do the same.
I am Gabriel Olatunji-Legend
Transformational Story Writer!
Twitter: @OlatunjiLEGEND
Instagram: OlatunjiLegend
BB: 2BAC2A15
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