You can’t be everything at once, focus on one thing and make it count.

Jasmine was a girl I knew had great potential. Then, in secondary school, she had so many qualities that convinced me of how successful she was going to become in the nearest future. Oh!! she was such a go-getter. After our secondary school, I found her doing digital marketing, I wasn’t surprised she took up such a skill immediately, even when most of us, her mates were yet to figure out whether we wanted to further school or learn skills like hair-dressing or fashion design. It wasn’t long before I saw Jasmine hop into telemarketing from digital marketing, she immediately switched to programming. Waw, I was really amazed at how much she could do.

The following year, I got admission into the uni. There, I saw my dear friend jasmine, she said she had become a public speaker. Amazed I was, but then I couldn’t help but get worried for her. I knew how determined and resourceful she could be, but then, the whole energy was not being channeled properly. It wasn’t up to six months before I saw my dear friend doing comedy skits. I knew her to be everything, a comedian was not near any of them. Well, I reacted to her posts to encourage her, but still, I become more worried. Less than one year, my dear friend posted on her WhatsApp status, that she had become a model. Outrightly, I knew I needed to talk with her.

I enquired why she was trying to do so many things at the same time, and what really was the driving force. My friend broke down and told me how she just wanted to do great things, make a name like others and be her own boss. Eventually, she got confused about which of her potentials to harness, since she was gifted with more than one, but obviously not perfect in any.

Jasmine is you, yes you, trying to do so many things yet perfect at non, Trying to be everywhere yet nowhere.

One problem with people who have multiple potentials is that they are not able to diligently focus on one or two of their potentials and grow them. The interest to try everything and know everything is what births “jack of all trades, master of non”.

Be known for one thing and become a master in it.

Take life one day at a time, and learn to maximize each of your potentials one after the other. Trying to be and do several things at the same time is as good as gathering wood that you will definitely not need, so why the load? You will only succeed when you are able to focus on a particular thing, Groom, and grow in it. Ever seen a man who is into so many things? He never gets far in any of them, as he would if he had focused on a few.

If you want to grow, go far and succeed in life, you must have an identity, and you cannot have that by wearing multiple hats at once. When you try out one potential, ensure you have given it your best before you pivot. Stop confusing your helpers when they come. Stop confusing the people that follow you. Stand firm for one thing and become known for it. That’s the strength of an achiever.

Just Start, Stay Consistent and you will definitely win.

Cheers.

The post Why You Can’t Be Everything At Once appeared first on Every Nigerian.

At first,  she said I wasn’t competent for the job and called me a rookie and underaged. Days ran into weeks and she began heaping all her duties on me. You can say I was doubling both as the admin, and assistant at the same time. Literally, I was carrying out her duties for her. You may want to ask, what then was she doing? Well, Dish orders and passing files!

Eventually, the rookie became a pro.  I got so good at my job that I didn’t need her to pass files to me, I went to get them myself. she soon began to like me, Obviously because she saw me as a relief of her duties while she still received her salary and still answered the admin title.

Because I was competent enough,  she would skip work for days while I fill in for her. I carried on with my duties diligently without minding her laxity to work. Every one of my colleagues that needed her attention always came to me instead of her.

One day,  I overheard them saying that they preferred working with me to Her. Gradually she began to lose her relevance. The big news broke two months after. I emerged as the new administrator and branch manager. It wasn’t a surprise to anyone except my boss, who was either going to work as the front desk officer or quit her job.

What happened to her? Well, obviously she lost her relevance while letting another carry out her duties for her. She felt I was a newbie in the system, but never thought I will learn and grow. She didn’t consider what I must have known before coming into the system and my adaptive skills. She only saw my presence as an opportunity to hide from work.

This story is illustrative in our various workplaces. Some of us think because we have worked in a workplace or an industry for a long time, we can’t be outshined. Listen, no one is the monopoly of excellence and as such, don’t think you are irreplaceable. The company doesn’t care about you as a person, they care only about the value you are able to bring to the table.

At every given time and duty, show yourself worthy and deserving. Don’t sleep on your skills, if you do, you may lose your relevance to those that are awake and consistent with the grind. Some of us, have PAs. Your PA can replace you if you let them do what you are supposed to do, simply because you are paying them to assist you. Assist you, fine, but don’t heap so many duties or responsibilities on them, such that they can render you irrelevant.

There are people whose minds are actively ready to tap and harness. Look down on anyone at your own peril. Keep developing, keep emerging, and don’t give room for negligence. Whatever you are called to do, put in your best, not your least. Last note; When you stop growing, you lose relevance and when you lose relevance, life becomes worthless. Don’t let yourself die while alive!!!

So While you’re alive, keep living, keep reading, and keep improving.

Stay Relevant.!

The post How I Took Over My Bosses Job Within Two Months appeared first on Every Nigerian.

That particular road was so busy that it was as though the riders were in a racing competition,
coupled with the bad condition of the road. Every man was trying to beat time.

I noticed an old man fell with his bike just by the corner of the road.
I truly feared for his life because of the speed of the riders near him.
I wanted to ask our driver to stop so we could help,
but the thought of other passengers yelling at me didn’t let me.
I guess they were in a haste too.

Well, we passed him as he struggled to get himself off the road
and probably continue the journey. Just as we passed,
every other vehicle and user of that road passed him.
Everyone seemed to be in a haste, probably to catch up with something or somewhere.

While we journeyed, a few things battled in my head.
Will he be able to rise and continue his journey?
What if he couldn’t rise up? Will he get help?

There are a few lessons I learnt from that incident.
In the journey of life, you are mostly on your own.
People are not interested in what pushed you down,
what made you give up, or how you intend to rise again.
What they are interested in is “did you rise or not?”

People are only interested in what will help them succeed,
maybe a few will pause to help you.
but you really can’t bank on it.

When people help you out of your trying times and push you up the ladder,
don’t trivialize it. They did what only a few will do,
for it takes one who understands and leaves for humanity to help you rise.

No matter how difficult life pushes you, push it back.
You lose when you give up. You win when you persevere.

History is made by those who stood strong throughout the test of time.
So no matter how tough or brutal it gets, keep your eyes on the goal.

Champions don’t count how many times they fall.
They only count gathered experiences.
If they succeed, once every ten attempts,
They know how many times they need to try
To succeed a hundred times.

The post Journey of life… appeared first on Every Nigerian.

Thousands of miles away from her country of descent (Nigeria), a Senior Army Officer was promoted in the US Army from Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier General. We will have to take a peek into the life of this wonderful lady of our time; Brigadier General Amanda Azubuike.

 Birth and Early Life

Amanda’s father is an Igbo man from Ideato LGA, Imo state, Nigeria, while her mother hails from Zimbabwe. The couple met in the UK during their university studies in London. So Amanda is the daughter of a Nigerian father and a Zimbabwean mother. She was born in London, United Kingdom. According to Amanda, her mother moved to the US shortly after her parent’s divorce “in search of better opportunities”.

 Education

Amanda studied Mass Communication/Media Studies at the University of Central Arkansas between 1989 – 1993, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree, a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College, and a Master of Professional Studies, Public Relations/Corporate Communications from Georgetown University.

 Joining the Military and Later Life

General Azubuike joined the military in 1994 and later became an aviator after passing the Army Aviation Officer Basic Course. Azubuike joined the US army even before she became a citizen of the country, adding that her family and faith in God helped in propelling her career.

Azubuike graduated from flight school in 1995 as a UH-1 pilot and began her career with the 924th Aviation Support Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, where she served as a platoon leader. She served as the Flight Operations Officer, followed by Platoon Leader for the Aviation Company, Multinational Force, and Observers in Sinai, Egypt.

 Military Service Career

Azubuike was first introduced to the US military army during her penultimate year in high school. She enlisted in the army national guard before becoming a citizen in 1989. She began her career in the Aviation sector. After 11 years in the industry, she continued her career in the Army as a public affairs and relations officer.
After attending and completing the Military Intelligence Captain’s Career Course and Fixed Wing Multi-Engine Qualification Course, Azubuike served with the 3rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation) in South Korea as an Operations Officer and RC-12 pilot.
Azubuike was assigned to the Coalition Forces Land Component Command in Kuwait in 2005, where she served as a Public Affairs Operations Officer. She would later be assigned to the U.S. Army Central Command’s Headquarters at Fort McPherson, Georgia.
Azubuike would then also serve as the Chief of Media Relations and Public Affairs Operations Officer with the U.S. Army Central Command’s Headquarters at Fort McPherson, Georgia. She was also assigned to the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs at the Pentagon in the Community Outreach Division.
Azubuike later attended the U.S. Army War College and was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia, as the Public Affairs Director, and deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan, with the Division Headquarters.
Azubuike was assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters / Military District of Washington at Fort McNair in Washington D.C. as the Public Affairs Director. She led the joint public affairs team that supported the 58th Presidential Inauguration. She also served as the Chief of Public Affairs for the U.S. Southern Command Headquarters, Fort Lauderdale Area in Doral, Florida.
Azubuike later served as the Chief of Staff and Senior Military Assistant to the Principal Deputy in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Pentagon.

 Promotion to the Rank of Brigadier General

Out of the total population of 1.2 million men and women of the US Army, only 300 made it to the high-ranking positions of Brigadier General of which she was meritoriously among. Azubuike was promoted from Lieutenant Colonel to Brigadier General. She was promoted to the rank at a military base in Fort Knox, Kentucky, USA.

Though some media outlets have reported that General Azubuike is the highest-ranking female in the US Military, their claims have been found to be false.

Call out to Youths to join the Military

The newly designated United States Brigadier-General of Nigerian descent, Amanda Azubuike, has extended an open invitation to anyone passionate about joining the United States army to contact her.

Summary

Despite daunting challenges, General Azubuike originally from the UK with African roots was able to pull through and attain such a glorious height in the US Army. This is a story worthy of emulation by every Nigerian, to drop the excuses, aim, plan and strive for greater heights. Be like General Amanda Azubuike, don’t let anything hold you back as you work to overcome any challenge on your way to the top.

The post From Being The Child Of A Broken Marriage To The Height Of The Us Army; The Inspiring Story Of Brigadier General Amanda Azubuike  appeared first on Every Nigerian.

Persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving set goals.

Perseverance is not giving up but being strongly dedicated, it is a good thing and it drives you to be better and helps you overcome your challenges. Marie curie said “Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that?” We must have perseverance and above all, confidence in ourselves. You must believe that you are gifted with something and that this thing must be attained’’. It is a key to a great career.

Career refers to an individual’s chosen profession or a long-term plan based on passions and goals. Building a career is a lifelong process of improving your skills and talents in providing a sense of purpose for you. Many persons have begun their career while young, either in a higher institution or College. A career doesn’t need you to require a degree; about 50% of jobs between 2020 and 2030 will be occupations that don’t typically need an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree. As a person ages, their career goals and path may change due to family obligations, personal interests, or financial needs.

What stops You from Persevering in your career or dream?

Definitely, we will have things that will drastically make us feel like we can achieve our goals but if we don’t conquer them we won’t make it. What are those factors that hinder your ability to persevere?
1. Overconfidence
2. Fear
3. Procrastination
4. Lack of focus
5. Mood swings

1. Overconfidence
Excessive confidence makes you overestimate your ability or power. An individual decides not to read his/her books because he is brilliant and what he sees during the test shocks him or so much that he wasn’t able to write anything in the exam.

2. Fear
Fear is an unpleasant feeling of being frightened or worried about something/someone that has not happened. This is not the kind of fear that keeps us from walking down the road at night but the one that can keep you from growing. As a result of irrational fear, we feel we can’t do anything to improve ourselves.

3. Procrastination
The act of postponing or being slow about something that needs to be done. ‘That tiny voice in your head asks you, ‘’why do you bother? Why do you want to be who you are not? You can’t achieve your goals but until you meet people who have passed through that stage then you feel ready. You always have doubt about yourself, you follow your dreams today, and tomorrow you drop it until you just stop.

4. Lack of focus
Focus is the quality of having clear or fixed definitions. As an individual, you need to be focused because if you are not focused for a minute, you can’t be focused for an hour or even a day. When you are not focused you can’t persevere.

5. Mood swings
A mood swing is a sudden change in an emotional state. Moodiness will always distract you from persevering e.g. Anger, depression, Emotions, etc
As an individual, you need to control your level of perseverance. You just have to get all hands on deck and put things right.

How to persevere in your career

However, you have felt that in the past you haven’t made it or it’s taking a longer time than you expected, but you need to put in mind your perseverance is evidence that yes the road is tough and you still need that courage of developing yourself. The beautiful thing is that you might have failed so many times in the past, but the past is gone and the future is still ahead of you.

‘Life is not a bed of roses so you must keep pushing……

The following will guide us on how we persevere in our careers:
1. Determination
2. Commitment
3. Progression

1. Determination
By taking a step and making sure they are your dreams, Be Consistent and Disciplined.

2. Commitment
Be ready to fight it, zero your mind and stay focused.

3. Progression
Always try something new and take your time to fix them gradually until the necessary arrangements are being gotten.

Recommended Books on Perseverance
I personally recommend the following Books which I believe will help build up and re-ignite the fire you need to persevere in your career.
1. Feel the fear and do it anyway – Helen Keller
2. Grit – Angela Duckworth
3. Be Obsessed or Be Average – Grant Cardone
4. Relentless – Tim S. Grover
5. Beyond Possible – Nims Purja

Conclusion
Perseverance plays a vital role in achieving our goals and it helps build us daily. If you want a better career you need to remind yourself of how to get a better result and also persevere to avoid those things that wouldn’t make you achieve your dreams.

The post How to Persevere in your life goals in spite of challenges appeared first on Every Nigerian.