Time to Decide Who Will Sail the Ship of Your Life

By Gabriel Olatunji-Legend

A group of enlightened followers but with an ignorant driver will have their cause delayed. I remember a sight that made me realise that no matter how great the intention of a leader is he will never be able to achieve more than his level of knowledge.

It was the sight of a car driver that stopped for a red light. Isn't that a good thing? But the problem was that the light was only stopping those going straight and not those turning right. He stood there waiting for the light to change while also traficating, an indication to those behind that he is turning right. Long queues have already built up behind him and they were all blasting their car horn at the man in front (signalling to him that the light didn't stop him) but the driver stood still. He didn't understand why they were blasting the horn, he probably thought they wanted him to break the law.

When the light turned to green he turned right and I could see the man driving the truck behind cursing him by spreading his five fingers at him (he was visibly frustrated) but his frustration wasn't enough to make the man in front turn to the right when he ought to. This scenario happens a lot in offices, schools, teams, churches and in government. The man in front believes that he is doing the right thing while those behind expresses frustration at his leadership style; we curse him behind his back but most of the time we never confront him and when we do, we do not do it in a way that enlightens him but in a confrontational way.

Ignorance is a bastard. It is dangerous when the man sailing your ship does not know. You will be a frustrated soul. You are about to apply to that company, please do your research before you jump into a ship of an ignorant CEO. Before you jump into a ship of marriage ensure the man is not oblivious and outdated. Before you jump into the ship of a church be aware that your pastor can take you to a place of knowledge you had no idea exist. And before you jump into a ship of a political party by electing their candidates on Saturday be damn sure that the man you are voting for is capable of harnessing human and material resources to bring the country into an economic state you will be proud of.

You can only go as far as the sailor of your ship knows. My father had only one property before he died and I can categorically say that he had the capacity to own tens if not hundreds but he entered the wrong ship and the consequences is for us to bear. Take the sailor of your ship (family, business, church, and politics) seriously because in it lies how far you will go in life.


Gabriel Olatunji-Legend blogs from www.olatunjispeaks.com and tweets from @OlatunjiLEGEND

Gabriel Olatunji-Legend: The Day I Smoked Weed

It was supposed to be a fast trip to the dreaded Alaba International market. I was working with a company that was into movie distribution and we needed to confirm the people who were selling our movies without permission. We toured the whole of the market, we were about four or five in number but thankfully we didn't get anyone who was doing that.

The next thing was for us to return to the office and give a report but I was with the 'boys' and they had to do what boys do - take some time to relax and enjoy life because if you die working for another man's success you are on your own (those were the beliefs most boys in turn have). Who was I to say No to relaxation and enjoyment? Little did I know that what I had always known as relaxation and enjoyment was not the same with the boys I was with.

The first spot we entered was bar cum motel, it was a place you could take a cold beer and then place an order for a woman if you liked. They had it all in that one place. Don't forget that I was a novice, I was the odd one out, I was the one who kept quiet while the 'boys' were using different terms to describe the woman's body and specie, and I was the one who don't drink and the 'boys' could not understand it. I remember ordering for a non-alcoholic energy drink just to look cool. You dare not order for a coke or fanta in such gathering.

I thought that was all but the 'boys' were not done yet, there was still a last round we had to go and I have never been able to forget that moment in my life. We left the bar and went farther into the reclusive area and walked on plank to cross a canal in a dustbin-like area where we saw faeces around. This wasn't a place anyone should be relaxing or having fun in but it was the place they could do what they wanted to do without the preview of the police or whatever they were hiding from. Before I knew what was happening, three of my guys had a smoke and it wasn't cigarette. Apparently, I got to know that that spot had the best of weed; if you take a full roll your life will never remain the same again.

My guys knew I wasn't into all that, they teased me back and forth and in other to sound cool I said "there's nothing there now - I just don't want to smoke". One of them then handed me his own and cajoled me to just take a sip (I hope this word is correct). I hesitated but he kept on the more and I collected it from him and a sip I took. I blew the smoke out as though I had been a heavy smoker all my life and handed it back to him but he said I must 'kiss the weed' the second time which I obliged again before he collected it from me.

As we left that place it occurred to me that it would only be a matter of time, if I continued with this company and I would forget who I was and become a totally different person. We become the company we keep. If you don't intend to eat faeces please stay away from dogs. Define your company; you are either forming better habits or bad habits as a result of the company you keep.

Cut ties with people who are not making you any better! Is this a good advice? Do let me know in the comment section below.

Tweet at me on @OlatunjiLEGEND

(Inspiring Interview) My 3 Fastest Route to Success - Sam Obafemi

As one of the top coaches in Nigeria, what three ways would you say are the fastest route to success?

Self Mastery and Self Belief, Trade and Industry Knowledge, and Progressive Association with the right People.

There has been some buzz about your forthcoming book, tell us about it. Why should we read the book?

When I set out to become self-employed, there was no written account anywhere by a Nigerian who had weathered the storm of the switch. In retrospect, I believe if I had the opportunity to read from seniors in the industry, I could have made fewer mistakes or even had the courage to attempt larger dimensions using their tips as a guide. This is why #MyValleys, my 5th Book, is very dear to my heart. I have put the book out as a guide, my own testimony and my boot strap account of what has transpired since I left paid (or salaried) employment.

You referred to your failures in the book, what are the lessons failure has taught you?

The lesson failure has taught me summarily is that he who has a will, a way will open to him. Until you mortify failure in your mind, there is still a chance you will fail. But if you develop grit for success, a way will always follow you.

Your life seems to have turned out well after leaving paid employment to start your own business. What would you have done differently looking back now?

I really have done nothing different. My former colleagues and employers attest to the fact that I am still as efficient as I always was. I have only grown wiser and more reflective but in terms of productivity, pace, and focus, I am still on track.

How can we get the free chapters of the book you released and how do we buy it when it's out?

I shared 2 free chapters of #MyValleys for the world to taste from the puddy (smiles). These can be downloaded from www.bookdey.com. Readers can also pre-order the full autographed copy from www.bookdey.com or via Phone Orders to 08073610884. Commercial release of #MyValleys comes out on April 1st, 2015 and then it will be available on www.amazon.com, Laterna Bookshop, Bible Wonderland, Lokay Bookshop (Abuja) and via www.bookdey.com, www.chukzbooksonline.com and many other stores globally.

What kind of background did you have and did it in anyway contribute to your success?

I am a graduate of Computer Science from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi. I suppose that my degree has been a plus only from the dimension that it has granted my leverage for the places I have reached via education. My education has helped me dimension my passion effectively to the extent that I can apply procedural components so as to build systems for my passion properly. I am also a Process Consultant in practice which is drawn from this degree. So summarily, my qualification plus my passion equals an institution for me, gratefully.

How can an average employee rise to the top of the ladder in a very short time?

Well, ‘very short time’ may not be practical, especially depending on the strata in the organisation they work in. but one truth is sacrosanct, an employee who is ever learning, both professionally and behaviourally, will grow through any ladder of career.

As a certified emotional therapist, what are the causes of depression and how can an average youth get out of it fast?

Causes of depression are very many; top of which are Stress, Failed Expectations and Personal Dysfunction. Usually, the first place to start coming out of depression is Self-Compassion, then Self-Mastery (from Emotional Intelligence) then Social Intelligence for appropriate association and organic growth in life. I have discussed this effectively in my 3rd book titled SALT LAKE THERAPY: Healing Yourself through Emotional Immunity. This can be ordered via www.bhousegroup.com/samobafemi

How does a young person deal with persistent failure?

If failure is persistent, the individual is being persistent with the root of failure. Nobody wants to fail but when failure becomes a repeat experience, it is necessary to ask appropriate questions like: what am I doing wrong? Who in my network is my weak link? What new resources must I acquire, in knowledge, people and wisdom terms? Most times also, it is important to have a Life Coach in your life who helps you ask the right questions in the right frequency. This can change one’s game always.

Any parting word to our readers and tell us about your family?

I am thoroughly grateful to everyone who has believed in my works. The cumulative feedback and support is overwhelming. I am very grateful. I encourage open feedback. Please help me grow to serve you better by talking to me. I am easily accessible via @sobafemi (twitter) or coach@bhousegroup.

I am blessed in marriage with a Wife, Olori Funke, and two Daughters, Sharon Inumidun & Delight Jesuferanmi. We live in Abuja. Glory to God.

Thank you for having me here.

Follow the blog on Twitter, @OLATUNJISPEAKS and *Leave your comments below*

ARE WE SELFISH? by Daniel Otabor

This Isn't Just Some Broadcast That Is Sent Randomly To Appeal To Your Conscience. It's REALITY, So Whether Or Not You Read It, It Isn't Gonna Change A Thing.. 

It's Sunday And I'm Sure We All Had Different Prayer Points - Majority Of Which Will Regard Material Possession And Personal Endowments, But That's Fine, Your Prayers Will Be Answered.. 

So I Heard There's Been Some Level Of Success In The Fight Against Terrorism In Nigeria, In Northeast To Be Exact.. That's Some Good News.. 

Just Out Of Curiosity And Pressing Uncontrollable Urge, I'm Asking If We All Still Remember That A Lot Has Gone To Dust And Most Up In Smokes? 

Do We All Realize That To Those That Have Lost Things Or Persons, Whether In Borno - Gombe - Abuja - Yobe And Maybe In Barga Still In Borno Deserve To Be Prayed For Constantly? 

Perhaps It's None Of Your Business - But Do You Realize That Whether Or Not It Is Your Business, Nigeria Not Borno Is Under Terrorist Attack, Do You Realize Nigerians Not Muslims Are Under Terrorist Attack. Do You Even Have A Clue What It Means To You As A Citizen Of Nigeria? Well I Guess It's None Of Your Business.. 

Just Remember That As You've Prayed For A Borehole In Your House - There's Someone Who Just Needs A Cup Of Water Because His/Her Water Supply Got Blown Up Along Side His/Her Parents.. 

Just Remember That History Is Been Made And If You Do Not PRAY Concerning These Things - If You Do Not Take Responsible For Nigeria And Nigerians, We Will All Reap Its Fruit If At All It Produces Any.. 

But If We PRAY Concerning These Things, We Are Telling GOD We Can Be Responsible For The GREAT Land He Has Placed Us To Have Dominion Over - We Are Saying YES God We Realize We Weren't Placed Here By Mistake And We're Ready To Play Our Part To Help And Build Our Country And Her People!

So I Ask Again, ARE WE SELFISH?

*Leave your comments below*

#LegendsDIARY: Is it True That I Really Need Prayers? (Week 2)

#LegendsDIARY is a weekly initiative of this blog where Gabriel Olatunji-Legend shares his personal struggles, failures, experiences and triumphs - it's a no-holds-barred diary - this is the secret the average successful person will not share with you.

I believed! When all wasn’t well instead of doubting my greatness in life I still believed that one day my story will change! That was the only thing that kept me going, believing. How else can you explain why a young man will write his first book at the age of 18 and about 10 years after he hasn't published any book? When you have once been confronted with words like “this is not ordinary, you need to pray”. A word like that comes as a result of consistent failure in a particular thing; in this case it is in failing to publish my own book after several attempts.

Sometimes you sit down to ask yourself if all was truly well, if it is true that you really need prayers (not the regular prayer – the one that probably requires an ‘ori oke’)

Gabriel Olatunji-Legend: The Three Things They Did That Make Us Envy Them

I took out time research the life of the people I envy the most, the list cut across friends, mentors, protégées, acquaintances and colleagues and I found something interesting about most of them. Don't we all have people in our lives we envy and love to be like? I believe, like me, there are people whose results you will love to command – like driving their type of car, live in their type of house, be famous like them and even have as much money like they have.

There is nothing wrong with wanting what someone else have, it is a good thing, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Even Jesus wanted his disciples to desire His type of power, miracles, and results. What is important however is not just the desire but the skill to recognise what it takes to command the same results? Elisha knew if he could catch Elijah’s coat he will also command the same results or more but these days we only desire without knowing what to do. These are the three things that they did, that make us envy them;

#LegendsDIARY: Why is my Own Like This? (Part 1)

#LegendsDIARY is a weekly initiative of this blog where Gabriel Olatunji-Legend shares his personal struggles, failures, experiences and triumphs - it's a no-holds-barred diary - this is the secret the average successful person will not share with you.

My name is Gabriel Olatunji-Legend and I am that guy with a past; I am that guy with a big dream like many people; I am that guy that wants to have it all even at an early age; I am that guy that wants to break world record but I consistently found out that instead of making progress, breaking records I seem to be stagnant and sometimes retrogressing. To make matters worse, I did not come from a well to do family but I grew up in the teenagers’ arm of a church where you are constantly challenged to go and become great.

Gabriel Olatunji-Legend: How to Have a Very Bad Year in 2015 PART 3

Have you noticed that three weeks has been spent out of the 52 weeks that was made available to you this year? Sadly, many people have not done much with their goals for the year and this is when you should be on your grind. This proves that a New Year without a new strategy will not produce a new you. Stop the positive confession and get down to business by changing the strategy you’ve been used to. In 2014, you had a ‘bad year’ (that means you could have had a better year) because of what you have already started doing this year also – you had so many goals/visions that you didn’t and couldn’t achieve any or most of them. If you want to have a BAD YEAR in 2015, continue!

When you have too many goals like the sand of the ocean it becomes difficult to help you measure and track success and you become a confused soul yourself. Thrash the goals, have plans.

THE QUANTUM LEAP SUMMIT 2015

THE QUANTUM LEAP SUMMIT 2015 with Akintola Samuel [Transitioning Expert and CEO; THE GATEWAY NETWORK], Jimi Tewe [Nigeria’s Leading Career Coach] and J.J. Omojuwa [International Speaker & Social Media Expert]

Do you have goals for this year?

Do you have dreams you want to turn into reality?

How to Have A Very Bad Year in 2015 (Episode 2 of 5) by @OlatunjiLEGEND

Resolutions fly here and there at this time; you are still probably struggling with keeping to the resolutions you made at the beginning of this year. We do realise that we had resolutions at the beginning of last year too but we failed to keep up with them – if only we knew that resolution is just a vocabulary that cannot change anything in itself. You need to ask yourself WHY you had a Bad Year last year and address the issues headlong.