Some days ago while catching up with the boys, I and some of my friends asked questions and discussed about the state of the Nigerian economy.
From minimum wage to food prices to unemployment to inflation to governance etc.
After saying all that, we all seem to agree that though most people might not be doing as good as before, some people are doing way better than before.
Then…one of my friends asked a question; “Ife, you always mention STRATEGIC POSITIONING as one of the keys to ‘making it’ in this Nigeria and generally anywhere. How person wey never chop go see money mingle with the rich? Or if you say try connect with some kind class of people, if you no get money to belong there how you wan take enter where them dey chill? You say these things because you and your friends are privileged, you went to Bowen, you schooled abroad (kisses to my parents). Meanwhile this guy doesn’t know how red or green my account balance was at the time. To me I saw that as typical of our youths, we have ready-made excuse for why some are doing great while they are fucking up.
This was my response to his questions and I hope someone here can learn a thing or three from it;
1. It is important to know where you want to be bro and what you want to achieve with your life. Most people aren’t even clear about that.
2. No matter the circumstances baba, what we pay attention to is what we value the most per time.
3. Know that having something to offer isn’t just about money. No matter how bad things are, you always have something to offer. Try find wetin you fit offer.
4. When you are very clear on 1,2 and 3. Strategically position yourself where people who are doing that which you’ll like to do are or people who are already who you’ll like to be spend their time…and put up the best of what you have to offer consistently.
I have friends who became millionaires by relocating to Lekki. I’ve met some ‘bros’ who became commissioners by being a member of Abeokuta SportsClub.
Your best at the moment might be ‘that guy who dresses well and always at the gate of Ikoyi club’. Sooner or later people going to Ikoyi club will recognize him for it and hand him an opportunity around that which he has to offer and is consistent about.
What if I don’t even have money or resources to wear good cloth or even be at the gate of where the people who are doing what I’ll like to do are? You may ask. Then if it means you have to make some cash to be there, do so… that’s if being there is the most important to you at the moment towards achieving your goal.
Some guy in a very remote part of the country believes that to be successful he has to be among the ‘class’ of Bachelor’s degree holder. He knows to be in that class he has to go to university, to go to university he has to have some cash. So now, to have some cash he has to…(that’s where using what you have where you are comes in). In his case, he gathered little children in the village and taught them some basic nursery and primary education and got paid in return…and saved up…and went to Uni…and became a graduate.
Know what you want for your life and strategically position and align yourself with people already in that sphere. If you can’t position yourself just yet, find what you’ll need to do or have to be able to, device a plan and work at it.
We always have something to offer. Only our pride and ego stops us sometimes, including me.