Skip to main content

PICKING THE UNCELEBRATED FOR THE CELEBRANT

Image
By


A dark-skinned young man, father of two and a baker. That was my first attraction, there has to be more. I delved in a little more and found out that there was indeed more. 

He had taken to baking and cake designing better than a woman would. The African Patriarchy system would label it 'the woman's job' but to him, it was 'his' job. It was the gold mine that fed his wife and children. 

He asked the question that I always expect when I am interviewing someone for the #TheNextBigThing. "Why are you doing this."

Over time, I have realised that 80% of world failures are not the ones that folded their hands and decided not to do anything rather it was those who were on the process of climbing mountains, slipped, sprawled on the cold concrete and never got to see anyone beckoning on them to get up. People need more encouragement that you can ever imagine to see past who they are, where they are to get to where they should be. 

Whether you are a company leader, a parent, a mentor, or someone that others look up to for any reason, your words hold immense power. That’s why it’s critical that your words build others up, not tear them down. They must be encouraging.

“Great job!”
“Well done!”
“Way to go!”
"I believe in you !"

Give these words out like freebies. They are powerful and effective. 

#TheNextBigThing was an initiative coined from the pressing need to reach out to these people. The world is a Karaoke Bar and everyone is busy providing prerecorded accompaniment to popular and overly celebrated songs. We have spent more time congratulating people who have succeeded than people who have not. 

I am one restless spirit and can't dwell in a spot for so long. Perhaps, its time to listen to new songs or hear new voices.  Give someone the encouragement they need today even if its a tip of your finger. 

Let them say "Because of you I didn't give up." 





Labels:

Comments

  1. Doat16 November 2018 at 15:15

    Well Done sis. Here's a pat on the back for being intentional about encouraging and celebrating people who shine as lights in their 'little' corners.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

CREATING YOUR CERTAINTY IN A NOT-SO-CERTAIN WORLD

By
  We are all living with the same level of global uncertainty. Certainty is what you create. The degree of certainty that you are experiencing right now is what you have decided to create.  Certainty is not bestowed on you from some external source. You create the environment that you are able to prosper from. You decide the level of risk you are comfortable with, you decide whether to change and develop the skill to become comfortable with higher levels of uncertainty. Every day you are assessing risk, whether starting a business, leaving a job, booking a holiday or getting on a train. Not deciding still counts as a decision and this is a decision to remain uncertain. How to Create Certainty in an Uncertain World You cannot control the world or anyone in it but you can trust in yourself.  Here is how to create certainty in an uncertain world: Remember that challenge and change are merely detours in the right direction, if you are open to the lessons that the challe...
Post a Comment
Read more

In the eye of the mind

By
She says a dance plus a step Makes up to two steps Is Pythagoras aware? Did you slurp off the vine? Is that why your eyes are red? Thou old drunk lady! Down the broad long road She walks in zig-zag steps On her head rests her load Paying imaginary debts Stable as change On every table matter sits change Yet unstable as water Eyes stare in the mirror Your face is all it sees O careless traveller! When your eyes are open Sights stick to your breasts Like cotton stuck to glue Like sap to a gmelina tree Will you from what you see set your heart free? A matrix of thoughts Electroplated smiles Embellished frowns Interconnected psychic fibres Excreting emotions in fluid and pulp A thunderstorm A ravaging storm Stick your eyes on my back Against your back, my sword makes a barricade Order and pressure me to be lame Your long rolled-up tongue, i will tame I have seen you When the tempest does not rage O disappearing captive of my rib cage I feel yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

MEET AYOTUNDE SOFELA, THE FEMALE MECHANIC WHOSE HEART BEATS FOR PROPER MAINTENANCE OF CARS

By
Goldfishes have no hiding place, so I guess this is why Ayo could not find a hiding place either. My first contact with her was on Twitter when I was looking out for women in male-dominated industries. I had an open mind while I was on the lookout but my thought had not given me the clue that I 'd stumble a sweet female Mechanic.  Ayotunde Sofela is a 25-year-old Mechanic from Abeokuta in Ogun state. Born and bred in the boisterous city of  Lagos and a 400 level computer science student at the National Open University (NOUN). She is the dedicated hands behind Ayomatics Garage, a young startup focused on delivering efficient, reliable, and trustworthy automobile repair, maintenance and consultation. "I didn’t always have this passion from childhood. Like most children, I wanted to grow up to be a doctor. I think that was influenced by the fact that I spent my childhood days in the midst of medical practitioners. When I got into a secondary school, that idea chang...
Post a Comment
Read more