Success is Not a Jackpot: Negative Circumstances Can Never Stop You

Okay, can we talk about the classic overused mantra “Hard work pays off”.

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I’m pretty sure you’ve heard it a gazillion times.

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You’ve probably even heard the gurus on YouTube bragging about how no one can outwork them.

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Now, the problem is, if they’re all telling the truth, then who is lying?

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When Hard Work Isn’t Enough

But here’s the kicker: what if you’ve been grinding hard, pouring in the sweat, and there’s still no sign of that payoff?

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Ever been there?

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You’re probably like, “I’ve thrown everything and the kitchen sink at my goals, and yet, it feels like I’m stuck in this weird limbo where nothing’s happening.”

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Does that sound familiar?

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It definitely sounds familiar to me because I’ve been there several times.

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And you know what is special about this?

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This is usually the point where many of us start questioning everything. You ask yourself these questions:

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“Am I on the right path?”

“Did I miss a memo?”

“Is success on vacation?”

“Will God ever help me?”

“How come all the bad people get things way easier?”

“Why is life so unfair?”

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The Soul-Crushing Wait

Look, I get it. Waiting for that job promotion, scholarship, IVF, college admission, or whatever mountain you’re trying to move can be downright soul-crushing.

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You’ve hustled.

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You’ve been persistent.

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You’ve been creative.

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You’ve even had mentors.

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And yet, crickets.

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It’s the kind of frustration that can send you into a downward spiral of doubt and fear.

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A Biblical Perspective: Power, Love, and a Sound Mind

Now, hold on for a second, and let me share with you one of my favorite Bible verses.

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For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. - 2 Timothy 1:7

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Now, I need you to let that sink in for a moment: power, love, and a sound mind.

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What better toolkit is out there to tackle fear?

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You see, when you are left alone with your thoughts, you cannot and should not allow fear to fester, as it brings some of its offspring, like self-doubt and self-pity.

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Navigating Rock-Bottom Moments

In my three-year stint as an entrepreneur in Ghana, I've hit these rock-bottom moments, especially after losing deals I thought were a slam dunk.

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Looking back, I realized I wasn't as ready as I thought.

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Timing, my friend, is a sneaky player.

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In hindsight, I realized that I wasn’t as prepared or well-equipped as I had thought to handle the scope of those deals, and if I had gotten them at the time, my performance might have been abysmal.

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Diving Within: Facing Tough Times

So, what do you do when the going gets tough?

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You dive within.

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It's like having a heart-to-heart with yourself without the awkwardness.

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And if that feels like too much, call in reinforcements—a friend or family member.

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Prepare yourself for honest feedback because constructive criticism is not always about praise, but it has the potential to profoundly transform your life.

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Keep Moving Forward Regardless

It really doesn’t matter how dire the circumstances are; you just need to keep moving forward regardless.

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Yes, adjust your game and make changes, but keep moving forward.

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It’s almost like the universe rewards those who keep moving forward, regardless of circumstances.

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You need to just keep plowing through.

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But I will be remiss if I don’t touch on patience.

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Patience in an Instant World

In today’s world of instant everything, patience is now on the endangered species list.

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You post something, and BAM! You want likes, shares, and comments raining in.

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Amazon promises next-day delivery, and you're tapping your feet impatiently.

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But the truth is, things that matter take time.

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Your expectations might be the culprit for your sleepless nights. Just saying.

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Murphy’s Law states that “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.”

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If you have this in mind, you will always be prepared for curveballs and flat-out rejections, even with the best strategies and plans the world has ever seen.

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The Strategy Conundrum

And strategy? Oh boy, that's a tricky one.

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Doing the same dance expecting a different tune? That's the real definition of insanity, according to Einstein.

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If your results are stuck in Groundhog Day mode, the universe might be sending you a memo: "Learn something new, buddy!"

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Take my recent attempt at supercharging my business sales.

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Initially, the feedback was like, "Yeah, not bad."

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But my impatience was doing the Macarena.

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As it turns out, just because I’m ready to rock the world doesn’t mean the world is ready for me. Sometimes you just have to chill and wait. Ouch, right?

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Debunking the Myth of Self-Confidence

Now, let's dispel the misconception that self-confidence is an unattainable prize at the end of a rainbow.

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It’s not about waiting for the job, the promotion, or the jackpot, but rather about owning your confidence game independently of what's happening around you.

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Think of it as making promises to yourself and actually keeping them.

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A Personal Discipline Journey

I recently put out a workout video on Snapchat and WhatsApp stories, telling my followers that I’m on a weight loss journey to lose 16 lbs. (8 kg) by December 31, 2023.

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I had actually made this promise to myself months before, but to keep myself accountable, I decided to put it out on social media. Now I have a few hundred people out there to keep me accountable.

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I’m on Day 7 now, and I’ve already lost 6 lbs. (3 kg).

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And what was my secret plan?

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I had to completely eliminate carbohydrates from my diet. Currently, my diet is strictly proteins (fish, chicken, beef, eggs, and beans), vegetables, salads, and fruits.

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My belly fat keeps melting like butter. It’s amazing the results you get when you choose to be disciplined.

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Basically, you’re telling yourself, “I’m disciplined,” and then proving it. Not 100% of the time—because, hey, life throws curveballs—but enough to make life nod in agreement with you.

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Constructive Criticism: Your Sidekick, Not a Villain

And can we talk about criticism for a sec? It's not the villain, but your sidekick.

If you can't handle some constructive criticism, get ready for a bumpy ride.

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It's akin to a ship that rejects the embrace of the wind.

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Additionally, course correction often comes in the form of a well-worded critique.

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Success: A Marathon, Not a Sprint

I hope you know, my friend, that success is not a sprint but a marathon.

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Stop thinking about hitting the jackpot after the first mile.

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Instead, focus on pacing yourself, remain consistent, and maybe have a playlist of your favorite podcasts to keep you going.

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Letting Go of Outcomes

Now, letting go of the outcome is not complete surrender; it’s like telling the universe, “I trust you got this.”

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It’s about freeing yourself from the anxiety of controlling every darn thing.

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Just so you know, doing this is not weakness but wisdom.

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Humility: Believing in Yourself

And humility?

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It’s not about being a doormat; it’s about believing in yourself over anyone else's opinion, even your own self-doubting inner voice.

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Listen, if God says you're a rockstar, you don’t need a million-dollar paycheck to feel like one.

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Confidence as a Journey, Not a Destination

Here’s the scoop: don’t see confidence as a destination but rather a journey.

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It cannot be achieved all at once.

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If you’re the type to wait for success to boost your confidence, you’ll be waiting forever.

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So, wrap your head around this—let go of the outcomes, tweak your dance moves when the music changes, and walk into the unknown like you own the place.

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Because, spoiler alert, you do.

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This is Christopher Njokanma, signing off.

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Every week, I stay committed to providing value for you. Remember, my daring reader, to Like, Comment, and Share this article, for it might be the boost someone needs to remain persistent. Stay tuned for more awe-inspiring insights and discoveries in the captivating world of unconventional success.

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Christopher is the President @ Cloud 98 - We power your brand's growth by harmonizing content and conversion.