50) STILL ON COMPETITION, CAPITALISM AND COMMUNISM

I can't help but try drilling a little bit deeper into this concept

For you to make 'comparatively greater money' than others, once there is competition in your line of business, you need to be 'competitive'. In simple but not too accurate english, it means you need to be 'better' than others. It is almost folly to think that the 'others' don't exist.


Looking at society from a big picture view, this is how capitalism vs socialism and competition works, or was designed to work:
Remember our village scenario in the earlier posts #3 to 7 with a village of two (or more) women and a single man. The two women desire to satisfy their 'self interest' urges (refer to post #13).

Communism/socialism says that they should all have the man equally, despite any of their female virtues. So it pushes the man to have equal amount of se.x with each of them, equal love for them, equal children from them, and equal favors bestowed by the man on each of the women.

This seems good right?
Well the challenge is that this would ultimately kill incentives for 'progress'. Any of the women can come to the man with dirty and torn panties expecting that it's her turn for the night, smelly mouth, let her weight go, stop making up, farting recklessley around etc. He his not expected to have any choice in the matter. As the women gradually become more sloppy in their appearance and efforts, the man's s.ex drive might soon take a nose dive. There is no much push for him to farm. The little he gets will be shared equally amongst all. Poverty or lack might soon set in, but is distributed equally amongst all

U can actually juxtapose this concept against nations, religions, relationships, marriages, communities, friends etc to see how it makes sense

51) Village Capitalism

Capitalism in the small village in our analogy where there are two or more women and only one man says that the women have to compete amongst themseleves for a limited resources from the man.

In this cae, the man is allowed to bestow his favours unequally. The ladies in this village will then tend to outdo themselves in order to get the mans attention. The ladies might try to look beautiful, or even offer to farm for the man in order to outwit her mates. Some might start using juju to try and get rid of their mates.

While this mad rush is going on, some of the smarter ladies might pause to think and try to understand what the man (who happens to be the customer) really wants. So while the others are busy padding their bossoms and making up their faces, it just might be that the winning strategy is simply someone that the man would enjoy talking with.

As the competition becomes intense, you can easilly see that there would be more 'production', advancement or activities. New bras developed, botox for the bumbum, attention to social education, more sacrifices to the juju, valentines day celebration etc. The man might soon feel very motivated to farm more (or outsource the faming to one of the willing women) in order to take care of his growing number of children.

Right. Now u see why business is tough and prone to 'failure'? It's all becuase there is competition from competitors for a limited resources (the customer's money)

52) Back to the yam woman

Remember I critiqued suggestions that the yam seller in post #46 and 47 continues selling yam despite the unprofitable and highly competitive nature of her business. However, if you look closely at the village scenario in my first set of posts #3 to 7, you would see the possibilty of partnership between competitors (sometimes described as cabals etc) in order to get better sales for all in the group (off course, this is bad for the consumer, and foreign governments hate this).

This is the idea behind unions and industry partnerships. So if all the market women in her street are able to discipline themselves and come together as a 'fighting' unit, they would be better placed to compete against individual yam sellers in other streets, and probably drive them off the market (Eastern traders use this strategy a lot).

Another strategy is for the yam selling industry to convince consumers that yam is good, and garri is bad. Probably push a story in newspapers saying "Garri kills 1000 in all the states of Nigeria". Consumers who have limited resources then turn to yam exclusively, thereby killing off the garri industry and making the yam selling very profitable

52) My Conversation with an Ibru Patriach

In my younger days when the desire for money burnt so bright in my eyes (im still dey burn o,, but with sense now ). I boldly approached one of the Ibru's for insight into business strategy. He seemed impressed with my friend and I, and off course started talking (an old tongue likes to wag).

He explained how the families business took off, the challenges and the strategies. Thank God for those oak seeds he shared with me (part of which drives what I share with you), they're more valuable than money and I'll be forever gratefull.

Now listen very carefully. One of the stories he shared was how they were the first to start the sales of ice fish in Nigeria. Hear him (not his exact words sha):

"Boy" he said, his old handsome face beaming with a smile, reminiscence etched deeply on his brows, "at that time, it was almost like a taboo for Nigerians to eat ice fish".
"They associated it to mortuary, and Fresh fish was the order of the day".
"But my brothers and I saw an oppurtunity for a new industry and lots of money to be made, especially as the Nigerian economy took a turn for the worse, so we opened Ibru Fisheries"

"It was tough work, convincing people to start buying ice fish, soo we started advertising on air and radio".
"We sponsored programs like those maggi kitchen ones where we showcased chefs cooking with icefish".
"People soon began to warm up to the idea, and Ibru fisheries became a highlly successful business"

Guy u are simply too good. I started reading today and I will come here everyday for updates. You seem to be an elderly person who has seen it all.

stance: Guy u are simply too good. I started reading today and I will come here everyday for updates. You seem to be an elderly person who has seen it all.

at the bolded, and no comments

53) Lets talk about Perseverance

I'll share with you some insights on the merits and demerits of perseverance, and might suggest ways you can manage it effectively.

please take a look at the diagram (it is an hypothetical one, incapable of existing in real life, but serves a visual purpose in our lesson). In the diagram, there is a man called Mr Pese Viehance standing at a location in the globe called A. Spot 'A' has no oil wells, The man wants to dig for oil, and the man has been told by motivational teachers to persevere, and he'll eventually get to his destination

54) Persevere wetin?

As Pese digs through the earth towards point Z in another part of the globe, there is a very strong possibility that he will discover oil somewhere along the path AZ. The longer his life span, the greater the probability that he will strike oil. The oil find could however be very small or very vast.

Its like gambling. If you just keep on gambling consistently throughout your life, there is a strong possibility that you would one day win something. That something might be extremely small and won at the later parts of your life when you're about to die off. It could also be a very big win at the start of your gambling career

When in business some people tell you "just hold on there", something like what I have just described could be what actually plays out.

As you continue in a specific relevant line of business (e.g yam selling) through time, there is a strong possibility that the business will finally 'settle-in' if you: don't give up, don't die, or are not sunk by debt.

The reasons why the yam selling business will finally 'swim' if those conditions listed above are met is simple....




**Still hold on to the mental image of the guy (Mr Pese) digging through line AZ in search of oil as we trash this out in the next post**)

55) Why Perseverance would get you 'somewhere'

As the yam seller in our story (refer to post #46) continues in the market 'struggle', -falling down and getting up-, stuff begins to happen to her and her business.

With the passage of time:
- she would naturally begin to have loyal customers who would make her shop their first stop
- She would get experienced in reading through customers, therefore knowing potential buyers vs potential 'broke ass' hagglers (the way wen as girls dey mature, dem dey know guys wen be time wasters )
- Some other yam sellers would have given up along the way, thereby reducing competition
-She would soon be able to source for farms where she can buy yam cheap and then make a good profit
-She would have built trust with her suppliers who can then sell bulk yams to her on credit (almost like a cheap loan)

From the above, you see that there is a very strong possibility that anyone who perseveres in a line of business will come out at least 'alright' at some point in time. From our overall analysis, you can see that the only thing that can possibly stop you is death and your giving up.

But,the really big but is.............what is the measurement of 'alright'?
is this -'alright'- worth the struggle, the sacrifices, endless stress that you passed through, sleepless nights?

In a simple language, is perseverance worth the struggle?

56) Managing Perseverance

Wow!! You can see how potentially powerful or destructive perseverance can be to your life and those of others.
When this first hit me years ago, I screamed... wow!!!!

The koko behind the koko is what do you want? what are you really willing to sacrifice/ give your life for? What won't you regret? what makes you happy?
Try to identify this before setting out unto real perseverance journeys or giving advice on the topic to others. This might involve questioning, and questioning the answers, all to the last bit that can withstand further probing and still make sense.

The yam seller when questioned, might tell you that what she really wants is a successful business. It does not really need to be yam business. Her definition of success could further be probed, and it might be something as simple as where she can make enough money to trevel out on a vacation once in a year.

Imagine this woman now getting stuck in a perseverance journey in 'yam business' fuelled by motivational teaching/preaching with God thrown into the mix. It's sad to me.

I'm saying this because I've seen it happen to people (it probably even happened to me )

The yam woman, when she properly understands herself can start off with yam business and "persevere in her true goal of having an income that can send her on vacation once a year". This means she could quickly aspire and become the market women leader if that acheives her purpose and from there become a commisioner in the state etc

Bros,where u ? I dey wait for the next installment O ! On the issue of perseverence ehn, can you touch on knowing when to quit ? Stick-to-itiveness is good but e fit kill person so, when man suppose know when to bail out of an endeavour ?

57) Conclusions on Perseverance

Perseverance is an excellent attribute, but don't get into the trap of a rat race where you get blinded to other oppurtunities beckoning at the sidelines. Remember that the race is not actually the goal. The goal, is the goal. So don't get pushed into a race just because dem tell u say na so.

When channelling all my efforts, I try to ensure that perseverance is wrapped around that tiny unshakeable rock which I am actually willing to give my all for. With this I am really flexible in moving towards my desired end, while also ensuring that I enjoy the beauty of life. I'll round this up with someones story (the story has been twisted so that I dont get slapped).

58 ) Choosing your race carefully

Chuks a single male of 26 in Nigeria got into business after finishing school. Oppurtunities came for him to take great jobs on a platter of gold, but he shrugged it off. You must persevere, be an employer of labour he was told by the motivators, and this he did plus paying his tithes and sacrificial offerings. He soon noticed that beautiful girls of his 'class' that naturally liked him where not willing to commit to him. They were more interested in the guys that were already working in Shell and Mobil or some other folks that were firmly established in business. He couldn't settle for a kpako girl, and the aje girls wouldn't settle for him (they felt that is future was too risky to waste their beauty and grace on)

Now he is in his early 40's and has finally become slightly comfortable in his business. His mates that didn't get into business are firmly established in Top companies as the big boys, with their fine wives and fine aje kids from way back.

Now beautiful aje girls in their 20's and those left behind in the 30's age bracket are going gaga for him. He feels a sense of distrust for all of them. Calls them b**tches and gold diggers. Compared to his mates, he lost a lot in those years, soaked garrri tire; his girlfriends always being snatched by boys in Shell dem; no designer clothes etc. After going through all these, he his not much better financially that his peers

Talking with me, I went away with the feeling that what he ever really wanted was to be idependent, and to mary a pretty classy girl he was not more that 4 years older than. He felt that having his own business will grant him independence and such a girl. Umhh.. I am independent (which I love), I am a career contractor, and businessman, I don suffer well well, but I've never been in such state of want. Did he need to go through all this stress? (maybe in the next 30 years, we will know for sure)

Is this what he really wanted? My point of view is that perseverance should be a tool, and not a master in our lives, and so should all those laws of wealth that we are fed with. Once in a while, I love stepping back to examine if what I am doing can be done better. Is there a better and easier way?

Please feel free to critique me on this. I just might be yanning crap

nuattitude74: Bros,where u ? I dey wait for the next installment O ! On the issue of perseverence ehn, can you touch on knowing when to quit ? Stick-to-itiveness is good but e fit kill person so, when man suppose know when to bail out of an endeavour ?

Sorry, I didnt see your post earlier. If i did, I probably would have incorporated this into my thinking within that context.
As regards quiting, there are many suggestions that people give which are all valid depending on the circumstance: Some out of the box suggestions that people give are:

-Don't quit
-Ensure you have an exit strategy
-Always have plan B all the way to plan Z
-Make sure you do not exceed your manageable loss
-cut your losses
-Make sure you don't get into debt etc

I dont know you and your circumstance, but I know me and mine. So let's be carefull here cos our minds are softer than we think. One of those strategy books, I think its by Tsun Tsu (Art of war)talks about loosing small battles but winning the war. I would first be sure about my end goal. I'll critique it thoroughly to be sure it can withstand the storms of life. That goal, I cannot quit even at the pain of death. It can be modified with time and new realities. Any other sub goal is dispensable at the right time and the right oppurtunity. Like Tarzan's rope, they all swing me towards my desired destination.

Following from this, I'll scratch on my concept of goal orientation

59) My Mental Picture for Acheiving My Goals (plus some xtian humour... u can skip this)

In one of those cool evenings years ago, I took a stroll with my friend down the street. This guy had the naughty habit of borrowing money from me and using it to pay his tithes and offerings. He would never give me my money back. The silly thing was that the money he took from me was what I would want to use to pay my own tithes and offerings, but thinking that he was in greater need, I would give it to him. That's deviating, but I hope he stumbles on this and reads it. Silly boy. In short I suppose mention im name ...craze man


The boy is one of those 'fiery' xtians. U know, those type that when they talk, u would think they are about to cause a miracle to happen. We were going to part ways soon because clearly our religious and pyschological personalities were incompatible. In one of our last discussions trying to unravel our personalities and approach to our goals, we used a mountain as an example.

He was of the view that to get to the top of the mountain, he would pray then clamber up the mountain with determination no matter what, fight against challenges, do some bravao things because he his a spiritual warrior

I said my approach would be to ensure that there is a strong rope firmly placed on the top of the mountain, and in my hands. Once this is acheived, all I need to do is keep holding on to the rope while inching up. The path won't be an issue to me. I am not interested in the fights and challenges. Even as I said this, I swear my paradigm shifted almost immediately.....

Na when I reach house na im wetin I tok dawn on me. Maybe the tithe wen that craze boy pay with my money know say na me get am

NNa men, I can't explain it o. But e be like say that mental picture dey work wonders. Im dey help me for flexibility well well while still being within my goals reach

60) Perseverance and the witnesses: My xtian view point (You can skip this as you might find it heavilly subjective)

Everybody dey call God, so make i do my own .

One of my favourite passage in the bible is Hebrews 11 to 12. I have a corrupted way of quoting it but which does me just fine. In the verses The apostle talks about faith and people that had faith in times of old, and what they acheived. He finally rounds up by ramming something like this into my head:

"So how can you fail seeing that you are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses?"

With my unique intepretation, I look at my witnesses, starting with Abraham. The man was giving a goal which he held on to, and kept nacking sarah with faith unto old age. Meanwhile, he was more than happy to take on a young babe on the side until Sarah kicked her out. He also had a son just in case, plus if he had sacrificed Isaac, Ismael for remain.

Or is it David, who was going to be king fvkd up many times even to old age, nacking anyone in his path. Eating pastors bread (or is it tithe )e.tc name them, and my witnesses all have plenty flaws. I've not made as much mistakes as many of my witnesses and yet they acheived their goals.

Umhhh, so perseverance on my innermost God given goal is tough alright, but exciting and enjoyable. I also have the chance to do loads of fun stuff while working my way towards it and connecting the dots. Dropping off unneccesary bagagages that don't fit; learning from my experiences and pressing some nice sexy bumbums on the way. Me and my witnesses give ourselves regular winks Cos we know that by faith (the rope we hold in our hands) we will surely step unto that place on the top of our mountain

61) Determination

Yep, you guessed right its a synonym for perseverance. But since I've kind of maligned the word perseverance, I'll use the word determination this time in a positive light. Im be like how no body they answer Judas, but people dey answer Jude.

In terms of acquiring skills, determination is an excellent tool. It is said that if you practice a new habit consistently for 30 days, it becomes a part of you.
With such practiced determination you can gain new skills and attributes that could take you places. All you need is to push hard for the first 30 days and Voila!! it becomes a part of you.

I can't remember the exact statistics, but I think its something like if you practice something everyday for a year, you'll become an expert in it.
So, you want to learn french, create you calendar, stick to it, learn and practice french for one year with determination, and you might soon find yourself working in Total

You want to loose weight or have nice physical features, do your excercises, push past the 1st one month to make it a habit, and by the end of the year you could have almost any shape that you desire.

You want to be book smart in a topic. Buy or borrow books on that topic, struggle for the first 30 days with it, it soon becaomes a habit, by the end of the year, you can boldy talk crap on that topic and no one can challenge you

Even if you feel that your calling is to be popular in NairaLand. Spend the first 30 days writing consistently in one category in NL. By the end of the year, you would be famous for being smart or being stupid in NL

Guy.
You suppose write book. I'm not known to gush, but this thread has a lot of potential.

Do you want to write a book? I can wing it oh.

AjanleKoko: Guy.
You suppose write book. I'm not known to gush, but this thread has a lot of potential.

Do you want to write a book? I can wing it oh.

Thanks o

I am actually thinking of doing that, guess what was holding me back?:
My brand (name)

I don;t enjoy being restricted to one entity (including one woman ), so my fear has been writting say a business book, then permeanently being associated/branded as a business writer only. Imagine Oyedepo writing a fictional book on romance. That would sound silly right?

So I've been trying to think around the brand issue. My latest thinking goes like this:
Say my name is Esere 826 Ajanlekoko. I could write/brand different categories using:

Soft Business books: Esere Ajenlekoko
Romance books: E. 8. Ajenlekoko
Christian books: Esere 8. Ajenlekoko
Strategy books: Esere 826 Ajenlekoko
Academic business books: 826 Ajenlekoko
project management: Ajenlekoko E. 8.

** what do u think about this? makes any sense?**

But u know what? Immediately i saw u question, I thought to myself: "what the *#$$. I could as well write first, then think about naming convention and brand later"

Thanks for your confidence in me sha. I'll buy you a beer when I meet you and we're discussing writting over some nicely roasted and tasty chicken wings

esere826:

Thanks o

I am actually thinking of doing that, guess what was holding me back?:
My brand (name)

I don;t enjoy being restricted to one entity (including one woman ), so my fear has been writting say a business book, then permeanently being associated/branded as a business writer only. Imagine Oyedepo writing a fictional book on romance. That would sound silly right?

So I've been trying to think around the brand issue. My latest thinking goes like this:
Say my name is Esere 826 Ajanlekoko. I could write/brand different categories using:

Soft Business books: Esere Ajenlekoko
Romance books: E. 8. Ajenlekoko
Christian books: Esere 8. Ajenlekoko
Strategy books: Esere 826 Ajenlekoko
Academic business books: 826 Ajenlekoko
project management: Ajenlekoko E. 8.

** what do u think about this? makes any sense?**

But u know what? Immediately i saw u question, I thought to myself: "what the *#$$. I could as well write first, then think about naming convention and brand later"

Thanks for your confidence in me sha. I'll buy you a beer when I meet you and we're discussing writting over some nicely roasted and tasty chicken wings

Send me a PM

esere826:

Thanks dude. I have done my own share of searching for the science behind economic well being (I'm still searching). I've seen loads of short narratives that dont add up. But thankfully, I held on and kept on searching everything. Thankfully, I'm now in a better place than I was before.

Truely its because of folks like u that I write these things. They don't swarm in like vultures, but somewhere deep down in me, I feel happy knowing that someday, some seekers will search for this kind of information and find it clearly exposed.

And when they're staurated and burdened by such knowledge and many more that they pick along the way, maybe, just maybe they might also end up sharing my pain of trying to express these toughts to people in as simple a language as possible, .......trust me it's tough when u give people that are clearly in need of it milk at no cost, and you watch them spit it out.

like am doing today..
thanks esere826 for this post.

styca:
like am doing today..
thanks esere826 for this post.

U sure are

62) FOCUS

I talked about things that you acheive with determination. A cool tool to use side by side with determination is focus. Focus is a way to to ensure that your energy is not disipated, instead it is concentrated on one or few things. When you do this, u tend to acheive things quicker and surely (based on my experience).

For some of us, there is a strong likelihood that we first start with a task, then run off chasing a new task never finishing the first one. If you'r guilty say: "Aye".
**aye** )

Focus gets rid of distractions, saves and channels your energy, and allows you to drill into the task/goal at hand successfully.

This example might not be too appropriate here, but it should help us in thinking in the required direction. Madona the Musician is a lady that is analysed in strategy. U can check this two links for more reading on the subject
http://www.utdallas.edu/~rxr092000/internal_analysis.pdf
http://www.scribd.com/doc/49835295/madonna).

She has a way of changing/evolving with time. Analysis of her shows that she gets into relationships that are aligned with her destination, and kicks out those that are not through her divorces. So if she wants to get into movies, she flirts and marries a producer, hangs out with movie people etc

-A pastor that wants to be a tele envangelist only needs to be determined and focussed soley on this task, and he would be everywhere before you can say jack.

-If you can't swim, and you want to become a swimmer. All you need is to eat, wake and sleep swimming. Don't bother about doing other things. You'll soon become a swimmer.

-For years, I was a hunt and peck keyboard user. It was becoming embarrasing, so I was determined to put an end to this. In one week of ensuring that the only task I did was learn speed typing (using a tool I found in the internet) I had become fairly good.


(xtian perspective: "I can do all things in Christ Jesus who strengthens me". Truely, I strongly belive that with this tools together (determination and focus), you can do practically anything. Make I no too tok make im no be like say I dey mad. I mean anything, even waking up the dead. o.k naw, dey there)

63) FOCUS (2nd edition)

You really don't need to accept this, but I believe that focus and determination are the principle tools that are explored during fasting. I mean why would God be interested in me being hungry in order to please him. Just doesn't make sense to me.

I have found that if I have a task that burns in me, I am less interested in eating, sleeping, shaving, or grooming myself. I just put my all into it, and watch things shift into place as I focus on them. If im no gree shift, I might just go ahead and knock them into place.

Determination and focus even if slightly dormant quickens one to smell 'oppurtunities' or directions. So you want to write a book someday, and a certain Ajenlekoko just tok small thing about book, everybody they laugh for table, but u no gree laugh. Instead you dey drink your beer dey eye am

Determination and focus is so powerful that it could also get you in trouble if not properly handled. It could get a mature girl used and dumped on the cheap, simply because she smells husband material in a guy. It could get you to loose or be defrauded of your money because you want to be as rich as Bill Gates before you are thirty.

However, its an excellent vehicle if driven with caution. Even if it messes you up, don't worry. Its better to be silly and loose thousands of naira while young, than millions of naira and assets when old. The lessons would be more than worth it if we are wise.

esere826: 63) FOCUS (2nd edition)

You really don't need to accept this, but I believe that focus and determination are the principle tools that are explored during fasting. I mean why would God be interested in me being hungry in order to please him. Just doesn't make sense to me.

I have found that if I have a task that burns in me, I am less interested in eating, sleeping, shaving, or grooming myself. I just put my all into it, and watch things shift into place as I focus on them. If im no gree shift, I might just go ahead and knock them into place.

Determination and focus even if slightly dormant quickens one to smell 'oppurtunities' or directions. So you want to write a book someday, and a certain Ajenlekoko just tok small thing about book, everybody they laugh for table, but u no gree laugh. Instead you dey drink your beer dey eye am

Determination and focus is so powerful that it could also get you in trouble if not properly handled. It could get a mature girl used and dumped on the cheap, simply because she smells husband material in a guy. It could get you to loose or be defrauded of your money because you want to be as rich as Bill Gates before you are thirty.

However, its an excellent vehicle if driven with caution. Even if it messes you up, don't worry. Its better to be silly and loose thousands of naira while young, than millions of naira and assets when old. The lessons would be more than worth it if we are wise.

ya you got it.

64) Lets think a little bit

Did you notice from my last 2 threads that when I wrote about determination and focus as it pertains to some inanimate issues such as skills acquisition, i almost sounded 100% positive on the outcomes we would acheive? However, when the write-up shifted to issues that involve other humans, the possibilities of failure became evident?

We can comfortably postulate that has the object of our action becomes more animate the greater the uncertainty of the outcome. Take care to note this.

**I'm thinking of how i can deliver this important bit to us effectively and efficiently. O.k., lets try this:**

Some things/acheivements are dependent soley on you, while some others will depend on a relationship involving you and others.

a-You can be determined to have excellent (>90 percentile) knowledge in a field of science and actually acheive this
b-Your being the best in that field is however depenent on the 'weakness' of others compared to your strength
c-Your being able to sell a product in that field is also dependent on 'your' capability in relationship to the buyers, competitors, producers, e.t.c

Place holder

traditional man and wife growth as per 64b; Controlling versus predicting; relationship example of controlling outcomes; book examples of animate vs inanimate; too much reflection as a show stopper; just do it; connect back to web thinking; principles of compound interest/quick but small wins; business vs career, another mans business; career groth; soft skills; proxemics; body language; powerd differential; mumbai shoes; actors

.....em, em,, make i go sleep,

65) Concentric cirles

Following from post 64, u see that u can be determined and focussed on getting a skill set like physics knowledge, and you're almost 100% sure of acheiving this within a practical time as long as you take the right steps. However, after getting such skill, it doesn't neccesarily translate to your getting a job or success in business. This is the case even if you sing 'beautiful' music. This is simply because this aspect is dependent on other humans and their 'interaction' with you. You might then need to build some soft and human management skills that can make folks buy into you, or you might just be fortunate being at the right place at the right time despite the competition.

I suggest that 'a' way we can minimize the fallout from such a situation is to approach business/career as you would some concentric circles. So you could mentally make a list of skills that you would like to have. Make another list of skills that you think employers or a particular employer would like. Make yet another list of skills that might be useful in your personal life. You could then focus your immediate attention on gaining skills that are common to all categories and acheive them first


-For me, speed typing is a skill that falls in all categories mentioned above. Employers would like that I can type fast, plus my typing fast is used in my personal life in Nairaland

-Excel/ spreadsheet skills is also something that fits into fullfilling my employers needs, my business cashflows needs and planning my personal budget

Success in my opinion is a deliberate act by some one who desires it. It does not just happen. So only those who really work and plan to be successful at what they do, actually make it. That is I strongly believe in this post. Any one desirous on success must plan and work for it. You will only get what you expect out of life.

66)Exploring Gaps

A friend from India told me a story that I thought to share with you. It's about an Indian businessman who wanted to import Nike and Addidas shoes in large consignments into India for sale (he says it was also used to act a Hindi movie). He was aware that the duties/tax on these category of items was about 150% of the value. The shoes were also well priced in India. So this is what he did.

From Europe, he told the manufacturers to unpair the shoes and put them into different containers (i.e all left parts in one container and the right parts in another container). The left container was then shipped to India, and the right to China.

In India, the 'container' for the left pairs of shoes was left uncleared for a long time, and no one (not even corrupt officials) were interested in such a useless container. So the relevant government body had to dispose of it through an auction. The indian business man was the only one in the auction, and he bargained for this worthless consignment for a give away price. They gave it to him

He then went ahead to bring in the other pair of shoes from China, and paired them up. With this cunning strategy he made a princely profit for himself.

67) Roadblock?

In my post #64 b, I made mention that your being the best in a field is however dependent on the 'weakness' of others compared to your strength. This is despite how good you are. This fact drives some to thrive to be better than others, or actually undermine others. It's even a business strategy used by corporations either way. For example, Apple is suing Samsung silly just to slow them down, not really foo the money.

Its like say a husband makes up his mind to earn more than his wife. He could do any or both of these two:
1) Aspire to outearn his wife no matter how much she earns
2) Ensure that his wife's ambitions are twarthed so that she does not earn more than him.

The first brings about healthy competition, while the second... umh I hear say na im some regions of the country dey practice. Na hear I hear o. This is the case that is being made against Apple, i.e that their acions/suits are anti-competitive

I guess you've also seen this practiced by coleagues in your workplace, by your neighbours and your 'friends', that boy wen let u spy am for exam to one extent, then after that im come shift seat . You might even be the guilty party. Yes you

Na so im be

68 ) Don't let go of money so quickly

Say you need to pay 5,000,0000 naira tution fees for a postgraduate studies overseas. You might be expected to pay a minimum of say 2,000,000 naira before you start. Well, go ahead and pay that bit. However, pause before the rush

Even if you have the entire money, why rush to settle all your bills immediately thereby reducing your liquidity. You could owe to the very last minute, and even request for an extension for the date of payment of the balance. Don't worry my friend, the remaining money 3,000,000 naira siting idly in your bank account no go develop leg run away (except im dey Savanah bank ).

Money left in your bank account can then be leveraged in several none risky ways. For example, in the UK, this could give you access to some good credit facilities; Showing a balance sheet of 3,000,000 naira to a foreign government if you're inviting your boyfriend or brother over should make you look good; Your bank account looking robust could even be helful if 9ja girl wen dey consider u as her boo mistakenly follow u go bank and see balance sheet wen money still dey inside. No give am the money sha, if you do, the aim of witholding the money is defeated.


Witholding/last-minute bill offsets is a very valuable tactics in stretching the value of your resources (leveraging). It's not encouraging us to borrow money and not pay back, neither is it encouraging us to be stingy. It means that when you have bills to pay especially to organised systems (not someone wen trust you), you hold on to your money for as long as it is possible. You could then use this gap period to leverage your money.

Some wicked top bureacrats even use this tactics in witholding civil servants salaries, allowing the monies to cool off in the bank while accruing interest for their greedy selves


Within the legitimate confines, I've heard some folks say they can't do this because if they withold money, dem go chop am.
Well, since u'r so indisciplined u'd better pay upfront then. This strategy na for more disciplined people