To get ahead, you must get started.

It’s a new year and another God-given opportunity to live out our purpose and dreams. According to Mart Twain, “the secret of getting ahead is getting started”. I am propelled to encourage someone who would be reading this, that taking the first step towards that idea you have conceived is key to achieving it. Most importantly, taking another fresh step towards starting again is a sign of resilience that ushers you into even a greater achievement.

My journey as a “tax man” is a case of a journey of a thousand miles, taken one at a time. Back in my university days, I undertook a number of courses. Taxation took my attention greatly and I enjoyed the class all through. It kept me wondering why most of my classmates would complain how difficult the course is, how complicated it is to know the provisions of tax laws and how weird are the computations prepared in the course. As an accounting student, I didn’t slack in my quest to understand the tax laws, learn from others people and practice the various computations. Having studied in a University from the Eastern part of Nigeria, there was little or no awareness about pursuing accountancy professional qualification early but destiny has a way of ordering us to the right place at the right time. I joined Deloitte in Enugu shortly after I graduated from the university. This gave me a different orientation and a platform to redefine my career path. I was determined to become a chartered accountant despite the perception of some people from the Eastern Nigeria that becoming a chartered accountant is a very complex task that is tantamount to a wishful thinking. I set a goal to become a qualified accountant within 2 years of graduation and wrote down specific actions to take towards achieving that. During my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) I engaged myself actively in this project which I achieved within the set time. After my NYSC, I joined another firm of Chartered Accounting to develop my auditing and taxation skill.

As day went by, I desired to make progress and change my job. On one particular day, I walked down to a cyber-café to search for jobs. I was informed by someone I met there, that the Federal Inland Revenue was recruiting. At this time, I was confident that the FIRS would be my next employer. I grabbed the opportunity and submitted an application. After undergoing the screening text, specialised test and then an interview, I saw an act of God getting this golden opportunity on merit to serve my country in her Revenue Authority. Having an opportunity to do daily what I enjoy made the practice of taxation interesting. I have had it both smooth and rough. However, my passion has inspired me to handle new tasks in the organisation whenever the opportunity arises without fear and being selfless in my service without considering what personal benefits come from the job. For example, I pioneered the Risk Profiling Unit in a pilot office, Victoria Island Integrated Tax Office, Lagos; pioneered the Emerging Tax Unit in the Specialised Tax Department Abuja; and pioneered the Tax Incentives Management Office, Lagos among others. These experiences provided a bedrock for my becoming a better tax man.

The question is, what happens when you grab an opportunity to serve and you have no enabling environment to thrive? Trust me, you must not give up. The future is even brighter. I am a woman of faith and I assure you that all things work together for good to those that love God. They are all part of the preparation process of getting ahead. After publication of my book, “Understanding Nigerian Taxation,” a work done out of my passion to transfer what I have learnt to others and add to knowledge, I was brought to the lime-light and was recommended for an appointment in my state. I embraced it as a call to serve however, it was short-lived. I saw that as another opportunity to take a fresh step to starting again to reshape my career for even a greater opportunity ahead.

Year 2025 is already here. It’s a year full of ideas. No more procrastination, now is just the right time to ensure the following to advance to the next level:

a)?????? clearly define your ideas and visualise the intended outcome ?

b)????? break these ideas into measurable goals

c)?????? design a roadmap, highlighting major steps and milestone needed to achieve your goals

d)????? identify necessary resources required to achieve the goals

e)????? take actions, start small, learn and improve with consistency

f)??????? collaborate with people whose skills complement yours

g)?????? find mentors to influence your personal and professional growth.

I hope this speaks to someone. Feel free to connect with me.

#angelannamani #taxman #goalsetting #newyear #2025 #opportunity

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