Like millions
of my age group, I didn’t sleep all night. Like millions of my age group, I wasn't
doing anything of specificity. Like millions of my age group, I was just
scrolling web pages.
My night wasn't
entirely unproductive, though. I had several thoughts in my head. There were
new births in form of ideas. More than anything, however, I was somewhere between
looking behind and looking ahead. I was on the search discovering new things;
having a look at some inspiring profiles.
The result of
my thinking in between the lines is what I want to share with you. These are lessons
I have learnt. Things I have thought about. They are tips I hope are relevant
to your story.
Make Silent
Killer Moves
Social media
has become the path of least resistance. There are no more secrets or personal
information. I usually say “Everyone knows everything about everyone.” Now,
this may not be true in its entirety. But, it is a compass to what is
contemporarily obtainable.
Let go of the
urge to constantly update people about your next moves. Step back from sharing
unsolicited life goals. You will do better and go farther when you stop
discussing your imminent moves publicly. You should have inner circles, but
even they shouldn’t know your baby’s name when she is still a foetus.
Keep Searching
I believe
many people like me are on the search. This is an important stage in our lives.
We don’t want to waste any more time. Some of us have found what they can
devote their lives or years to. Some haven’t. Some will discover themselves
early on. Some would later on.
But,
discovering oneself isn’t an end. As long as you live, and as long as you hope
to remain resourceful and relevant, you will keep on at it. So, irrespective of
the level you are, keep digging.
You will be
ecstatic when you find gold. That will be a turning point. You will feel great
when you find diamond. And that will be another turning point. Although finding
gold was a major starting and turning point, diamond will open you up to greater
realms. You will keep finding more assets and gaining greater perspectives as
you dig deeper.
Follow the Procedure
In primary
school, some of my teachers as well as the proprietor counseled my dad that I should
write entrance exams a year earlier. This same phenomenon occurred in high
school. He was against it. There are fundamental equations and principles I have
learnt in that regard. Every end has a process. There are steps to be taken. You
don’t want to miss any of these steps.
Be on the
Fast Lane
I am not
particularly a fan of hasty impulsivity. I am equally against being maniacally procedural.
If you don’t take the time to process the true meanings of my words here, you
might miss it altogether.
Up above,
what I mean is learn what you need to know. Don’t skip the fundamentals. Right here,
I mean learn fast. Be the one who learns what they need to know in a snap. Do quickly
whatever you deem important.
Slow Down
I think this
and the two other points above might seem confusing. This is one of the things I’m
totally bad at. I slow down at times, not just enough. I’m usually caught looking
ahead. Sometimes, you just have to slow down. See life in a broad perspective. Raise
your horizon just a little higher. Appreciate the moment.
I have been
doing this since late October. Maybe not entirely slowing down, but driving at
a slow pace. Most times, ideas come when you are reflecting and gearing up for
the next trip.
Look Within
Many of life’s
answers, I have learnt, lie within us. We find answers to most of our
challenges when we look within ourselves. You just have to be patient enough.
Remember, you
don’t need to have answers to everything. You just have to be ready when the
answers surface. This has been true for me several times.
Start Where
You are with What You Have
I recently
read a piece delivered by a former chairman of Microsoft India. He emphasised
what I said earlier, “You don’t need to have answers to everything. You just have
to be ready when the answers surface.”
It is
imperative to keep investing in yourself. This is because unlike movies and jackpots,
life is procedural. People don’t transform in seconds. There is a stage you
want to reach, and it would take something. Invest in the process. There is a
reason you are where you are. Start right there. Start with the resources in
your control.
Ideas are worth
10 a Penny. Don’t Overthink
As a pure
thinker myself, I do not like to partner with people who dwell too much on
thoughts. As an executor, I equally don’t appreciate crudity. In the end, ideas
are just what they are – thoughts. There are billions of them. Also, people who
have lots of ideas tend to overthink. I am a victim too. But if your thinking
isn’t leading to any substance, spare it! Ideas aren’t important if they are
left crude. You have to do more than think, and it’s not overthink.
Then, what is
it?
Ideas are Money.
Refine them. Work on the Best
Refine them
and execute the best. Ideas, in their very best form, can change the world. Every
item you use was once an idea. I think that is an evident disclosure. Ideas are
potential wealth. They are foetus. Incubate them. Bring them to life.
Everyone is Multi-talented.
You Inclusive
I specifically
chose this as the last point. Many people in my circle would have heard me say
this several times. I believe in the parable of the talents as told by Jesus. I
believe everyone is talented. More so, I believe everyone has multiple talents.
This implies that there are several things you can do and excel at. They may
not be millions, but they are more than one.
If one thing doesn’t
work, look around for something else. No one’s destiny is tied to a single
thing. If you sit down and write down those things you can do, you will be
amazed at the unique talents you possess.
PS: A man’s
gift opens door for him – King Solomon
Last Words
I didn’t intend to write this. I didn’t plan to
have a ten point listicle. The ideas came and I poured them out. Eventually, the
points reached a round figure. I hope you have taken some points away.
