HOW TO SUCCEED IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL ENVIRONMENT

One of the most critical topics in existentialism is facticity. When Azubuike S. Oguji, Ph.D was teaching us existentialism, he explained facticity as one of those elements that affect authentic existence, but he said one thing is crucial. Your family, country and often, religion are not your fault or making, but how you react to them determines how far you will go. Facticity might be too hard to change, but how you respond to them makes the difference.

On 1 November 2019, I wrote a post titled, SUCCEEDING IN AN UNSUCCESSFUL ENVIRONMENT. This was roughly a month after I was kidnapped in Lagos, and things were hard and rough. Later, in 2021, I published it as a chapter in my book SUCCESS MANTRA, edited by Dr. Sarita Sharma, Ph.D.,

Today, I felt like sharing about it because yesterday, during a mentorship session, someone complained bitterly. The truth is this: you can't complain yourself to greatness. Also, life is not kind to anyone. It's rough. What you are experiencing is your story. Change it.

Title: Shining Through the Shadows: How to Succeed in a Challenging Environment

This message is essential in the face of daunting economic hardships, mounting pressures to "get rich quick," and the relentless tug-of-war between emotional intelligence and peer pressure. This is a message, particularly for the young minds navigating the intricate labyrinth of life, trying to piece together a successful existence in what may seem like an unsuccessful environment.

Life can often seem complex and unjust. But remember this: the lenses through which we view life determine if we see it as a mountain or a molehill. Life is no easy ride, but it can be simplified when you uncover your unique formula. There is no universal blueprint for success, no one-size-fits-all. A college degree is not a golden ticket, and the absence of one doesn't spell doom.

Your unique model for success lies in discovering your purpose and pursuing it strategically. It's about respecting the laws of nature, treating people with dignity, and being punctual, humble, and open to knowledge. I'd like you to approach every interaction with an open mind, ready to learn rather than criticize, understanding that our different life experiences shape our perspectives.

You're not in a race against time.

Know Your Purpose

The first step to success is to know your purpose. What are you passionate about? What are you good at? What do you want to contribute to the world? Your purpose is your reason for being, motivation, and vision. It is what gives you direction and focus.

To find your purpose, you need to ask yourself some questions, such as:

1. What are the things that make you happy and fulfilled?

2. What are the problems that you want to solve or the needs that you want to meet?

3. What are the skills and talents that you have or want to develop?

4. What are the values and beliefs that guide you?

Once you have a clear idea of your purpose, you must follow it strategically. This means you need to set goals, plan, and take action. You must align your actions with your purpose and not let distractions or temptations derail you.

Respect the Law of Nature

The second step to success is to respect the law of nature. This means that you need to understand and accept the reality of your situation and not deny or complain about it. It would help to recognise the factors within your control and those that are not and focus on the former.

The law of nature also means that you need to respect the natural order of things, such as:

1. The law of cause and effect: Every action has a consequence, and every result has a cause. It would be best to be responsible for your choices and actions and not blame others or circumstances for your outcomes. It would help to learn from your mistakes and failures, not repeat them.

2. The law of growth: Everything that lives grows, and changes, and so do you. You need to embrace change and growth and not resist or fear them. You need to seek new knowledge and skills and not settle for mediocrity. You need to challenge and improve yourself, not stagnate or regress.

3. The law of balance: Everything that exists has an opposite, and so do you. It would be best to balance your life and priorities and not neglect or overdo any aspect of them. You need to balance your work and your rest, giving and receiving, seriousness and fun, and so on.

Respect People

The third step to success is to respect people. This means you must treat others with kindness, dignity, and honesty, not rudeness, arrogance, or deceit. You need to value and appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of people and not judge or criticize them based on your worldview or preferences.

Respecting people also means that you need to:

1. Keep time: Time is a precious and limited resource, and you must respect and use it wisely. It would help to be punctual and reliable and not waste or abuse other people's time. You need to manage your time and tasks, not procrastinate or delay.

2. Be humble: Humility is a virtue and a strength; you need to cultivate and show it. It would be best to be humble, open to learning, and not arrogant or closed-minded. You need to acknowledge your limitations and weaknesses and not pretend or boast. It would be best to look for feedback and advice, not ignore or reject them.

3. Be referable: Referability is a quality and a skill, and you need to develop it and demonstrate it. It would be best if you were referable and trustworthy and not unreliable or dishonest. You need to deliver quality and value, and not mediocrity or disappointment. You need to exceed expectations, impress, and stay caught up.

Be Yourself

The fourth and final step to success is to be yourself. This means you must be authentic and original, not fake or imitative. It would be best if you were yourself to express yourself and not conform or suppress yourself. You need to be an authentic version of yourself, not a copy or a version of someone else.

Being yourself also means that you need to:

1. Find your voice: Your voice is your unique and distinctive way of communicating and expressing yourself; you need to find and use it. It would be best if you found your voice spoke your truth and did not hide or lie. You need to find your voice, share your story, and not silence or censor yourself.

2. Find your niche: Your niche is your specific and specialized area of interest and expertise; you need to find and pursue it. It would help if you found your niche, honed your skills, and did not scatter or dilute them. It would be best to find your niche, offer your services, and not limit or undersell yourself.

3. Find your tribe: Your tribe is your supportive and like-minded community of people; you need to find and join it. You need to find your tribe, connect with them, and not isolate or alienate yourself. You need to find your tribe and collaborate, not compete or conflict with them.

You are great beyond measure, and you have the potential to succeed in any environment. You need to know your purpose, respect the law of nature, respect people, and be yourself. These are the keys to success, and they are within your reach.

I hope this inspired and motivated you to pursue your dreams and goals and overcome your challenges and obstacles. I love you so much and want you to be great. Please take advantage of your gifts and do it better. Be the best in what you do, and you will be happy in it. Through it, you get the best desire - FULFILMENT.

Humanity needs people like you, and you can do better.