I tell people, “You can be anything you want to be”.

I have big dreams; they are so big it scares me to discuss with people. Years ago, I ended a relationship because the person thought I was too ambitious. Yet over the past decade, I have achieved most of the goals I desired. With how my mind works now, my aspirations would be considered grandiose. I prioritize building wealth, making positive impact, and living a happy life. Marriage is beautifully overrated - an institution that may make or mar your potentials depending on luck. It's easier to focus on your goals until you are certain you found "the one," if that is not a myth.

Having acknowledged that my biggest fear is not staying unmarried, I constantly remind myself what I want, why I want it and what I must continuously do to attain my dreams.

These are some of my mantras:

Informed decision making: During my university, I was offered an opportunity to travel to the United States of America. It was a paid trip with a mouthwatering offer- I will leave the full story for another day. I turned down the opportunity because I was in 400 level and hadn’t graduated. At the time, traveling meant abandoning my LLB and Law School, which were not in my agenda. You must know what you want and make decisions that align with your dreams. Some opportunities are distractions in disguise.

Intentional savings: Most dreams require capital; mine requires a fortune. To avoid hating anyone unnecessarily for not supporting my dreams, I save. Don’t live like Dangote’s heir when you know you’re the first son of a farmer with 12 children. If I am saving for Range Rover and you a Toyota Camry, we won’t be aiming for the same savings. Please, save towards your dreams, no matter how small, and don't be a "money spender".

• Nobody owes you sponsorship, that little savings will help you start, before investors start coming.
• Don’t bother buying counterfeit designs if you cannot afford the original. There are quality unpopular Nigerian-made products; go for it. When you are able to afford designer wears, even what you bought from the roadside will be perceived as original.

Positive affirmations: Every Saturday morning, I jog for 1 hour and 30 minutes. During which all I do, is confess what I desire. Personally, jogging allows me to envision a lot, both the possible and impossible. Maintaining a positive mindset is a principle I have ingrained over the years.

Writing down my dreams: For clarity purposes, I write down my dreams and short-term goals on how to achieve them.

Having a constant reminder: I have three portraits positioned over and opposite my bed. I created the quotes on these portraits myself because what you constantly see, read and affirm will move from your conscious to your subconscious state.

Self-forgiveness: I am not a saint, neither do I live to earn a plaque. There are times I appear extremely lazy and miss opportunities carelessly. It is usually painful and sometimes makes me feel irresponsible so, my motivation which I have added to my collection of portraits, is “Every day is a winning day". If I mess up today, tomorrow is another chance to get it right and if I lose today, I could win tomorrow.

Intentional relationship: Unlike others, I do not associate myself with persons with the same or similar vision. I prefer to associate myself with persons bigger than me, with deep pocket and knowledge to get to the level I want to operate from. So, I pick friends intentionally. Not to mention that I may need an interest-free loan. This doesn't mean that I do not have colleagues, acquaintances, allies, etc., however, to say, "this is my friend", is a just a deep sentence.

Belief in myself: African culture encourages good tributes than praises. You can be the best at what you do without knowing it until you quit; I learned this at age 17. Know your worth and take pride in who you are.

There are no entirely new professions under the sun. Each may evolve with unique flavours, but the core philosophy and end result remain constant. Never abandon your dreams - they are within reach.

Discover the successful people in your field, learn how they did it, undergo the required training, gather essential information and consistently apply what you learn. With time and dedication, you will become a professional worthy of recommendations and accolades.

I wish you all a successful career and beautiful life story.

Shalom!