In Flip Wilson’s words, “You can’t expect to hit the jackpot if you don’t put some nickels in the machine.” Today I appeal to you in everything you do in March and March to the right!
Start!
There is a phrase from Mary J. Blige that I like: “It is up to us to choose whether we win or lose … and I choose to win” … This is correct common sense. Who would choose not to win? Poor me! common sense becomes rare when we lose faith in ourselves. We dream, we plan and when it is time to act, we begin to get restless. We remember all the possible reasons to stop. While sometimes we start to work on the plan, then distractions appear. Followed by procrastination. Next? Our motivation takes a slope and, finally, our commitment falls. Finally, we give all the excuses to back up why it was unavoidable. Curiously, while all this was happening, a little voice in us kept insisting that we keep marching … but will he listen? Hardly ever. You have the answer you need to choose, start or stick to your goals. –
“If you can’t fly, run. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk, crawl. But of course, keep moving.” -Martin Luther King (son)
While on that …
Have you noticed that the rapid development of technology is changing everything these days? Your secrets are not hidden! It is no longer the talk “God is watching you”, now people are also watching and waiting. Are you taking shortcuts, flirting, lying, or pretending? If you want to be the next Obama (US President) OR Fashola (Governor of Lagos State, Nigeria) of your dreams, think again! We now live in a world of “trash to trash”. The moment you start to climb or fly high, people (with good and bad intentions) will sniff out your past to unearth any possible flaws. You don’t want to sully your effort or your victory with a vague or murky past. As you go, stick with what is right.
“The truth relieves more than it hurts, and falsehood will always resist, like oil on water” -Miguel de Cervantes.
Be open
The way we see things matters a lot. Let me share one of my experiences with you. Sometimes I was offered a job in a company. They have a culture of using a particular color to work. It was uncomfortable for me not because they chose a color, but because it was black! Unfortunately, black has been labeled with a lot of negativity in the society in which I live. I knew I wouldn’t let the job offer slip away and that people would talk! (Yes! They will talk, they will look at me and they will probably hate me for wearing black all week.)
To keep an open mind about it, I started asking questions … starting with myself, the people around me, the company itself, etc. I wanted to know “why and why not?” I discovered a lot and resolved within myself that black is a color, it is a classic, it is often used to describe Africans and, like other things, we do not like everyone. Suddenly, I realized that everywhere I went, I saw at least one person dressed in black and they looked pretty. Finding solutions, ignited a bit of creativity in me to find ways to combine black with other colors of the brand, what fabric will work, the designs that will be less scary to those who see it as a negative sign, etc. Then I started to feel a lot better … it was no longer a problem. I started, in a short time, the culture of the company was altered in some way. Some of my colleagues joined my style. I took the job and enjoyed wearing black while it lasted = Win: Win !!
Did my action change people’s vision? NO! I was able to influence my immediate surroundings, but certainly not people’s opinion of the color black. So what is the story about? I? Not quite. It’s about life, options, and how to solve them. Fear will stop you if you don’t stop it being real. To sum up my story in the words of Charles Schwab, “the man who fixes himself to suit everyone will soon shrink.”
Stay on the road
Reaching your goals will not be an easy journey. Anyway, no one has had it all right. Will come with; Strengthening (no stumbles), full opportunities (no challenges), spiced up with new solutions (no problems). It will make you think (don’t worry). Finally promised experience. What you think should be, would be, if you keep moving forward. It’s like learning to walk … it will come … you have to persevere and take one step at a time.
“You can have whatever you want, if you want it badly enough. You can be whatever you want to be, do whatever you set out to achieve if you hold on to that desire with only one purpose.” – Abraham Lincoln
I suggest you make sure to “Get Started”, do the best you can “While you’re at it …”, “Be open” and stay the course.
N’oubliez pas:
* “When your heart speaks, take good notes” – Judith Campbell.
* “If you think you are too small to have an impact, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room” – Anita Roddick.
* “In the pursuit of fortune and fame don’t forget the simple things … the little things … and the joy they bring” -India Arie.
Keep marching!