It will hurt, sometimes

Dear Uwem,

As I celebrated my birthday this week, I recalled an odd incident that had happened to me. It seems amusing to tell it now, but it was a nightmare at the time.

I was cooking with Blessing Abeng ?? and decided to help blend the pepper into a puree (something I've done so many times in the past). But this time turned out different, I'm sure you're wondering where this is going.

I cut up the pepper into smaller pieces before blending it, unbothered about the pepper touching my fingers (I really don't know why I did that). I started feeling a slight burning sensation about 15 minutes after I was done. 1 hour later, my hands were practically on fire. I was so uncomfortable but it was still bearable. I washed my hands with dishwashing liquid and salt (grew up hearing this worked), but nothing worked.

I started googling for a solution to my problem. One site said, wash with alcohol, the other with vinegar which I did. Guess what, my hands literally visited hell after this. I was in big trouble.

I then tried soaking my hands in baking powder instead of baking soda paste (I was so flustered and desperate that I forgot there was a difference between baking soda and baking powder). Another site advised soaking my hands in milk and I did, but still nothing. By this time, it felt like I was finished, I had never felt so much discomfort and confusion from just pepper.

Luckily for me, my wife, who kept on teasing me and telling me everything would be fine did some research and advised me to rub honey all over my hands for 30 minutes (and it was so specific).

Guess what, after 30 minutes, the pain subsided. Whoooop!

Here are some lessons I got from this incident:

1. Don't suffer in silence, look for answers.
2. Share your pain with your trusted tribe (my wife in this case).
3. Not every advice will work, per time. Don't be dejected, keep trying to solve your problem.
4. Don't blame yourself, bad things happen to good people too. It's not always your fault, life has its ups and downs. Would I cut off my hands just because of the pain I felt?
5. Push through the pain. Even while I was hurting, I still had to deliver to my clients. No one loves to listen to excuses.
6. Be ready to go again. This incidence doesn't stop me from trying to make a pepper puree again. What I have learnt is how not to chop and clean the pepper (even if I thought I knew before).
7. What works for Mr A might not work for you, be careful when the following advice from other people.
8. The solution may seem like it's not working, be steadfast!

Bonus tip: When someone has a pain, they'll go the extra mile to look for solutions. When your target market is in search of a solution to their pain, make sure they find you by offering the solution even before they ask, with your content, product or service.

What has hurt you recently? What is making you doubt yourself?

Remember that life comes with its surprises, even the ones we swore will never happen to us. Grieve for a time and get right back up! This is what champions do.

Keep grinding,

Uwem

Did you catch my last podcast episode with David Gonahasa ? David shares his experience pioneering internet ventures from his small beginnings in Uganda. Listen to the full conversation here - Click to listen, subscribe, and share with a friend