IS THE SOCAL MEDIA KILLING YOUR DREAMS AND FUTURE?

Many young people spend countless number of hours, money and energy on social media to the detriment of their dreams and career. If you keep an account of the amount of time and money you spend daily on social media in the past one year- it will be enough to change your circumstances and life for the better. Social media just like every other tool can either advance your course in life or mar your potentials of being great or achieving your life desires. While you spend your fortune and life away on social media, some people are making money out of you on the same platform. Recently i learnt that Linda Ikeji is worth 4 Billion Naira (over 20 million USD) for the time she spends on her blog. Ask yourself, how much are you worth for all the time and money you spend on social media? Are you being smart or dumb?

Oh! I guess you don't know that every minute you spend using the internet is money. Well, you can ask MTN and Glo how much an MB (MegaByte) is worth, that's N10 per MB and that could take you only a page or two for say, a minute or less. Now calculate how much time you spend online and multiply it by N10. Voila! That's how much you waste (well, depending) on social media.

You could turn your passion and love for the social media into an entrepreneurial activity- something that could fetch you money and fame like Linda Ikeji. Find a way of impacting on people's life just as am doing by posting this article here for you to read. Whatever you do, whatever time you spend on social media or else where, ask yourself, what am I getting in return for the time am using now? That way you could be on your way to having and living a fulfilled life.

You can be better!

~Don Nwokedi

IS RELIGION ROBBING YOU YOUR SUCCESS

I know for many out there, this is a very sensitive subject to touch on. A lot of us black Africans and Nigerians especially are very religious people and are easily triggered to argument and hate when religious issues arise.

Well, I am not going to be discussing what religion you practice or belong to. I am only interested in ensuring you succeed in life and that you live your dreams, acquire the things you desire in life, be happy and prosper in good health. So, I ask, could religion be the reason for your poverty?

Courtesy: NaijaEntrepreneur.com

I want to state clearly that I strongly believe and have faith in God. I believe firmly that He is the author and finisher of all things and the creator of heaven and earth. But I also believe strongly that religion has made a lot of our young people lazy, worthless and has kept them in a state of inertia.

I was a victim of religion in the early days of my life. When I finished NYSC (Youth Service Corp) I believed that my next meal has to come from God. I didn't have any plan, I didn't set any goals, i had no vision what so ever. I just lived in the days waiting for God to send me a job, someone to give me money for food, some one to ask me what my problems were. I practically waited for God to do everything for me. I went to church consistently, paid tithes even when i wasn't working, gave offerings, and looked up to God for everything. At some point I located a church were many of the big politicians and government officials worshiped with the hope that one day any of them will notice me and ask me, "young man how can i help you?" That chance never came.

I was being blinded by religion. I forgot God has given me the power to set goals, to make plans, and have visions and the strength to pursue them and realize them. I forgot that i have to be the one to make a move and then let God guide my moves. I was waiting for God to make a move for me.

My story above is the story of many young people today. A lot of young people don't have visions- of what they desire or want to be in the near future, yet they want to succeed. They just let life toss them around like a ship in the ocean without a rudder or compass. A master once asked, who wants to build a house without first drawing a plan and estimating what it will cost to build the house?

Look around you. I mean it, just take a good look around you. What can you see? A chair? Computer? The phone you are using to read this message? A wall? Television? clock? cup? whatever you can see was first envisioned, imagined, planned, and then created by someone. How can you succeed if you don't have a plan, goals, or vision and you go to church, mosque every day praying for a change of life and status?

Don't let religion and religious leaders deceive you. Even they are living their own dreams and making a fortune out of you while you are empty, goalless, and directionless without plan or future. It is good to serve God. But God wants you to serve Him with a purpose and with a dream. You are built for something, and God has given you the power to create. So stop asking God to create for you what you can great for yourself. George Benard Shaw once said that successful people are people who look for favourable situations or circumstances and if they can't find any, they create one. Create the situation you want for your life and stop waiting on God or religion to do that for you. Some of the poorest people are the ones who leave in religious houses, yet year to year their situations never changes. Ever ask yourself why?

Don't let religion cripple you and steal you God-given power to create and live a full life of potential and impact. You can read the bible or the Quran and seek interpretations from God and his holy spirit and believe me, He will guide you.

Don't let religion render you lazy. You have the power to receive all you desired and envisioned. It's in you.

You can be better!!

CHANGE YOUR THINKING

BASED ON A TRUE LIFE STORY

For over 2 days i suddenly had this crave to eat akara (bean cake). My wife used to make it most Saturdays for the kids and i seldom eat it. Now that i have cravings for it, she wasn't around to make it for me. She and the kids have gone on holidays and i am all alone for the time being (Back to bachelor's life).

Courtesy: NaijaEntrepreneur.Com

Well, I had to look for a decent place where akara is sold so that I can put my cravings to rest. For 2 days I searched, I couldn't find any. Luckily, one morning I got a guard who worked in Julius Berger Yard around my office point me to a place where I could get my akara.

It wasn't long, I located the place. When I got there, it was 7:48am, the young lady who makes the akara was yet to set the fire let alone fry it. I was disappointed. I thought I was going to end this craving today, this morning, now it has to linger. I asked her when it will be ready, she said I could return by 8:30 that she had to make "ogi, akamu" (pap) first. Well, I obliged, cos i was determined to end this craving.

8:35 am I was back at the akara joint, i was amazed to see the huge number of people (customers) waiting on queue to buy akara. With my mouth wide open and eyes looking like a rat slammed with a broom, I wondered, all these people (Civil servants, business men, police officers, Road Safety officers, passers-by) on queue to buy just akara? Surprisingly she had just moulded the first sets of akara balls into the big frying pan. Most unfortuntely, the akaras would never go round to serve the people already on queue waiting for it. In fact, some people had to leave to make it early to their offices ( i know they will come back).

To cut it short, I was so lucky to get my akara since I was amongst the first people to be on queue. Did I enjoy my akara, yes I did with a bowl of quaker oats and 4 slices of bread- a perfect breakfast.

LESSONS:

Now, what does this have to do with changing how you think? Because i have been there. Many people select the kind of business and jobs they would like to go into. Growing up I saw certain business as low and unfit for me- one of the mistakes I made early in life, and mistakes lots of people make today. I know there are many of you who would rather stay at home wasting precious time than frying and selling akara. I know ladies that will prefer to sell and damage their bodies to men, rather than doing something worthwhile. Every successful business started from the ground- somewhere . Why don't you get rid of that stinky thought of yours and start something no matter how small and then watch how you would grow into a millionaire. Don't ever think you're starting small. It's better you start small so you can learn and have less risks to deal with while you grow.

Do you know how many people around your area who crave to eat akara but have know where to buy it? That's a business opportunity. Weeks ago, I was thinking of going into corn roasting business with a difference. Do you know that the society's big men/women likes snacking on roasted corn? (Now don't tamper with my idea, it already has a patent.. lol) then what are you waiting for to start a business? Look around you, there must be something people need that you can provide. Stop thinking, it's too shameful, it too small, it's not the kind of business I want, it won't give me the kind of returns (money) I need. Start first!

There is no shame in any business, it is self-deception to think so. Champions have scars on their body to show for their victories and success. What do you have to show for yours? Nothing! Because you dont want to be shamed, laughed at, ridiculed by friends etc. Dear, you have been thinking the wrong thoughts- and thinking like that will never get your anywhere near riches and success only near poverty and failure. Change today and live your dream no matter how lowly you may have to start.

I have planned out an interview with the Akara Bussiness lady, and when I do, I promise to publish it here so you will see how she started and the progress she has made.

Change your thinking, change your life

You can be better!