Personal Growth Archives - Page 3 of 6

October 15, 2013October 15, 2013

You Have No Option… Run!

By Darasimi Oshodi

In the jungle of Africa, the lion wakes up and thinks to itself that if it must find food, it must run faster than the gazelle while the gazelle thinks to itself that to survive the day, it must outrun the lion. There is a moral to this analogy and the moral is that to succeed in life, you cannot afford to stay in the same position. The lion will starve to death if it refuses to run after its prey. The gazelle will also not survive the day, if it does not outrun its predator.

So what does this tell me? That if I must get anything out of life, I must make demands on life. Life will just hand to me whatever it likes. You don’t get what you deserve in life, you get what you demand. So make your demand. Go out there and run. The millions you desire to have, the fame you crave for, the impact you hope to make will not be possible if you stay in a spot wishing it will fall on your laps like ripe cherries.

If you must not be run over in life, just like the gazelle, you must run and even outrun your predators who are lurking around looking for the opportunity to pounce on you and devour you. Let me mention some of these predators: failure, disappointment, despondency, rejection, poverty, etc. If you don’t move from that spot you are in, then expect these predators to catch up with you and consume you. I sincerely believe that someone who is active can never be bogged down by feelings of disappointment or any other negative feeling for that matter.

Considering this analogy critically, it seems to me that everyone in life will at one time or the other find themselves in the position of either the lion or the gazelle. Whether you are a lion or gazelle, you are fighting for survival and there is only one option: to run. And you cannot just run languidly or leisurely, you must run with all seriousness and with all your might because your life depends on it. Running may mean different things to different people. It may mean looking for ways to make money; it may mean studying to pass an examination; it may mean securing a job; it may mean keeping your job; it may mean fighting to keep your marriage; it may mean just anything.

To succeed in life, you cannot be complacent. You cannot be lethargic in your approach to life. You cannot wish your desires into existence. You must work towards achieving your dream(s). You must give your all to realising your desire. So can you assess your current position/situation and honestly give an accurate evaluation of your state? And whatever position you are in at the moment, know that you have no option but to RUN!

Just run!

October 3, 2013

Celebrated or Tolerated?

By Darasimi Oshodi

Have you ever been with people who never saw anything good in you? Have you associated with people who would always tear you down with their words and actions? These people do not think you are worth anything and they try to lecture you on what you must do before they approve of you.

On the other hand, have you been with people who see in you the good that you never thought was there? People who encourage you to be the best. People who love you for you. People you do not have to impress before they accept and approve of you. People who see you as the best thing to happen to them or as the next superstar and will not stop at anything to inspire your confidence.

I want to assume that you have at one time or the other been with these two sets of people. But the sad thing I have noticed is that there is a tendency for us to stick to the crowd that tolerates us instead of staying with the crowd that celebrates us. I think the reason for this is simple. We want to feel accepted and if there are people who show us that we have not earned their acceptance, we want to do everything to earn their acceptance. But if I may ask, why do you need the acceptance of someone or those who do not accept you unconditionally before correcting you? Must you earn anyone’s acceptance before you feel good about yourself? Why don’t you bask in the fact that there is a crowd cheering you on in your journey through life. Why do you neglect and trivialise the company of those who accept you first before making suggestions on how to improve some aspects of your life?

I believe I have a great smile. In fact I believe my smile can disarm anyone. I believe my smile can melt any heart. But you will be shocked if I tell you where this belief came from – from a commercial motorcyclist! That was many years ago. I was trying to persuade him to accept a particular amount of money as the fare I had to pay him for transporting me to where I was going, when he commented on my smile. Since that day, I have always believed that I have a great smile. Recently, my inspirational boss commented on my voice and I cannot tell you how much that comment has boosted my self-confidence. A personal rule that I follow is to identify the people who celebrate me and stick with them.

Your self-portrait determines your self-confidence and those you stick with have a big part in shaping your self-portrait. Your self-portrait is the way you see yourself and what people say about you contributes to how you see yourself. Do you then see why you need to associate with those who water the seed of greatness in you? It is because your self-portrait controls your self-confidence and conduct. You will always act out what you think you are. So who is that person who speaks to the greatness in you? Identify your cheerleaders and stick with them. Who is that person who celebrates you? Don’t you think it is better to stick to such a person than to seek the favour of the one who only tolerates you?

I leave you with this question: are you being celebrated by those people you are with or are you just being tolerated?

September 21, 2013

The Thirteen Year-Old African Boy Who Found a Way to Combat Lions

By Darasimi Oshodi

This is a story one should hear directly from the horse’s mouth. It will make you appreciate the story better. Richard Turere is a 13-year old Kenyan whose family’s compound is behind the unfenced southern part of the Nairobi National Park. Richard is the one who tends his father’s herd of cattle. But for a long time, just like his neighbours’, his cows were at the mercy of marauding lions who migrate from the Nairobi National Park. After various unsuccessful attempts to curtail the invasion of these predators, Richard stumbled upon an ingenious idea, which so far, has proved successful in warding off wild animals.

He discovered that lions were afraid of coming near their cowshed if they thought someone was around. So he fitted a series of flashing LED bulbs onto poles around the livestock enclosure, facing outward. The lights were wired to a box with switches and to an old car battery powered by a solar panel. They were designed to flicker on and off intermittently. This would appear to the lions as if someone was moving around with a flashlight. Richard’s idea has been so successful that neighbours have been asking him to help install his invention on their farms. In fact, his idea is now being used all over Kenya to scare off predators. Continue reading “The Thirteen Year-Old African Boy Who Found a Way to Combat Lions”

September 17, 2013September 17, 2013

Miracle on Ice and Other Remarkable Stories of Upset

By Darasimi Oshodi

I watched a film recently, Glory Road, in which a coach led the first all-black starting line-up for a college basketball team to win the NCAA national championship in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. After watching the film, I decided to do a search of some of the greatest upsets in sports and American politics. Why American politics? I can’t really explain. It may be because I love American politics. Below are some of the stories I found. They are just few of the many stories I came across but I hope you find them enlightening.

On February 22, 1980 during the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, New York, the United States Olympic ice hockey team, made up of amateur and collegiate players, defeated the Soviet team, which had won nearly every world championship and Olympic tournament since 1954. The Americans had gone into the third period 3-2 down but scored two goals during the period to the consternation of the Soviets. The U.S. team went on to claim the gold medal in the sport. The US victory on that day has been dubbed Miracle on Ice and movies have even been produced based on the events of that day.

In 1948, in what is widely considered the greatest upset in American presidential politics, Democratic incumbent Harry S. Truman defeated his Republican challenger Thomas Dewey. A newspaper had already published Dewey’s victory in advance.

In the 1976 United States presidential election, relatively unknown former governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter defeated the incumbent President Gerald Ford.

In 1978, Muhammad Ali lost to Leon Spinks in a match many had thought would be an easy win for Ali.

James Buttler Douglas defeats Mike Tyson in one of greatest underdog stories

In 1990, Mike Tyson was beaten with a technical knockout (TKO) by James Butler Douglas, a no-name in the world of boxing. Tyson, in his penultimate fight had knocked out his opponents in 93 seconds. Continue reading “Miracle on Ice and Other Remarkable Stories of Upset”

September 6, 2013

Amazing Comeback Stories from the Brink of Failure, By Darasimi Oshodi

Last week Friday, Chelsea was on the verge of victory against Bayern Munich in the 2013 UEFA Super Cup but with just eight seconds left, Bayern Munich equalised and were the eventual winner after a penalty shootout. The UEFA Super Cup is an annual football match organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by the reigning champions of the two main European club competitions, the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Europa League.

Brazil were the favourites to win gold in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics men’s football. The team met Nigeria in one of the semi-final matches of the competition. Brazil had beaten Nigeria 1-0 in the group stage. For the greater part of the match, Brazil were leading. At a point, Brazil were three goals up against Nigeria’s one. But with 12 minutes left, Nigeria scored two goals to send the game into extra time. Nigeria won the match with a golden goal in extra time. In the final match of the competition, Nigeria again came from behind to beat their opponents, Argentina.

In 1999, during the European Champions League Final, Bayern Munich had led Manchester United by 1-0 into the stoppage time but two goals from Manchester United in the stoppage time gave victory to the Manchester club. It was a dramatic comeback.

During the 2005 Champions League Final between AC Milan and Liverpool played in the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul AC Milan were three goals up by half-time, prompting some Reds fans to leave. But in six crazy second-half minutes, Liverpool equalised and went on to eventually win the match in a penalty shoot-out.

The opening game of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations saw Angola leading Mali 4-0 till the last four minutes of the game but somehow the Malian players conjured up 4 goals in 11 minutes to end the game in a draw.

What do these stories teach me? That I should never give up early and if I have any reason to give up at all, I should ask myself these questions: Continue reading “Amazing Comeback Stories from the Brink of Failure, By Darasimi Oshodi”

August 12, 2013August 12, 2013

Roger Federer: We all Need Coaches

By Darasimi Oshodi

Roger Federer has been described as the best tennis player ever by some tennis pundits. His exploits have even been hailed by tennis legends. Currently he is ranked number two in the world. He is reputed to be the longest-serving number one ranked tennis player in the world. But one thing intrigues me about Roger Federer, he has a coach.

Consider Usain Bolt, the Jamaican who has taken the world of track and field by storm. He broke the Olympic record in the 200 metres sprint at the just-concluded games in London. He has consistently run under 9 seconds in the 100 metres dash. But one thing intrigues me about Usain Bolt, he has a coach.

Tiger Woods for a long time was the number one golfer in the world. His prodigious talent as a golfer cannot be denied even by his detractors. He has won numerous golf titles and he is still a force in the game of golf. But one thing intrigues me about Tiger Woods, he has a coach.

I must also mention Lionel Messi, who for me, is the best footballer in the last decade. He is the finest footballer I know. He is so talented that viewers marvel when they see his dexterous display on the field of play. Messi is immensely gifted. His talents are so obvious for all to see. But one thing intrigues me about Lionel Messi, he has a coach.

The question bogging my mind is this: Why do these world class superstars need a coach? What do their coaches teach them? Why does Usain Bolt have to listen to a person who probably never created or broke any record? Does Tito Vilanova teach Messi how to dribble or shake off an opponent? Do these gifted or talented people need a coach?

A coach is a person who instructs players in the fundamentals of a competitive sport and directs team strategy. Going by this definition, yes, these superstars need a coach. This is because talent is not enough. Talent/skill must be honed. While these stars may possess immense skills, they need a trained/experienced person to help direct or channel their skills for desired output. A coach determines tactic/strategy. A coach ensures discipline. A coach is also a psychologist. He has the responsibility to instil confidence in his player(s). A talented player who lacks self-confidence will never live up to expectation. A good player still needs a person who can analyse him and determine when he is exhausted and needs to rest and when he must train. An amazing player needs someone who can analyse the opposition/opponent very well and then decide the appropriate style of play. So, YES, superstars also need coaches. Continue reading “Roger Federer: We all Need Coaches”

July 28, 2013July 28, 2013

Timing is Moneying

By Dr. K Amponsah-Manager

When you are not sure you have something to say, it is better to keep quiet. When you feel you have something to say, say it when the PASSION is high and the moment is HOT. Because this is when your words are going to have the most impact and you are going to have that sugary feeling of fulfillment after you have said what you have to say.

So get the timing right, and the rest will be money.