ADVANTAGE+

 

Quote of the week: “Finding out what you love to do is a great feat in and of itself”. (Derek Dolin)         

                                             

Greetings. I hope this meets you well.

I’m excited to write to you again on yet another very interesting aspect of development which forms part of my strategic impact areas. I must say that I was greatly overwhelmed by the avalanche of responses, remarks, contributions, and impact the last article “The Smart Start" garnered. It did elevate my hope that indeed, God is raising a people who will humble the devil in our lifetime. I dare say you’re one!

One particular contribution that got me thinking was one made by one of the very few capacity development coaches who I so much respect. He challenged me to continue on the “Smart Start” series, especially on areas as touching on; how to know a good/result-proven plan; how to evaluate the success of a plan; and how to run change management in planning. I have since accepted the challenge and I will certainly treat those aspects in the coming weeks ahead. But for now, let me mentally ignite you with this…

Everyone wants to have an advantage. Me, you, we, everyone, desires an advantage. In this horrible economic and socio-political times, seething with daily downturns and the very many unknowns, having an advantage, no matter how little, gives you the idea that you’re not worse off than the very least. That’s how the human mind naturally thinks. You want an advantage: in finance, in your career, in your academics, at the office, in business, at home, in the society, everywhere. Well, you can have it. You already have it.

Imagine Enyimba FC of Aba pitted against Barcelona FC of Spain in a competitive football match. Who do you think would win the match? I know some persons would want to quickly say that with some measure of luck and the support of the unknown and non-existent god of soccer, Enyimba FC might just spring up with some sort of surprise and win. It’s alright, anything can happen. Now, assume that 15 minutes into the match, 2 key players of Enyimba FC are sent off for dangerous play. Who do you think would win now? Yes, go on and be different. Say that you still root for Enyimba FC to win. Say that anything can happen. I know you may think it, but I doubt you would say it. Evidently, Barcelona FC already has an advantage just because of its name “Barcelona”, which evokes fear from opponents worldwide. Barcelona FC also has an advantage because of her financial power and the quality of her playing squad. Barcelona FC also has an advantage because it would be 11 vs 9 players. Barcelona FC has an advantage. Forget luck, Barcelona FC would win.

Remember, ordinary people think of luck, great people think of cause and effect…

Away from football, the question now is: how can you become just like the Barcelona described above? Do you have any advantage(s)? Yes! You have an advantage. Everyone has an advantage: home and away. Activate yours now. The earlier, the better.

What’s your advantage?

Your zone! Not someone else’s, your own zone. By entering into your zone, you automatically activate your innate advantage. It’s your zone, and everyone coming into your zone must be prepared to play second fiddle to you. Why? It’s your zone. Someone chivalrously said, “You don’t argue with a fool, he/she would bring you down to his/her level and beat you with experience”. Chivalrous, but bluntly revealing. Anyone who comes into your zone has come to your place of rest. While they may struggle to make impact, you do so effortlessly. Interesting!

Now you may ask, what’s my zone?

Your zone is your place of purpose. The day you decide to be driven and directed by your purpose is the day you successfully step into your zone. In a nutshell, being purpose driven puts you in your zone, and activates your innate advantage. It makes you stand out amongst the crowd and gives you balance. It gives you confidence and energizes you. Your purpose is given to you by your maker. God makes no mistake and He gives to everyone He creates a purpose. Friends, discover your purpose and be driven by it.

When the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable…

You are clearly struggling in that enterprise, business, career, etc. because you are operating outside your zone: your purpose. Stop suffering, enter your zone. Stop toiling. Stop watching others make the progress and impact you so wish to be involved in. Discover your purpose. Activate your purpose now!!!

But what is your purpose?

This is one of the mostly asked question by youths and students alike in today’s world. Yes, so many persons have realized that discovering and activating their purpose is key to so many of life’s conquests and achievements, and as such, they constantly ask: what is purpose? How do I discover my purpose? How do I activate and sustain my purpose? Well, you have your answers now.

Your destination is sure if you’re driven by purpose…

According to the English Dictionary, the word "Purpose" has the following meanings:

• An Object to be reached; a Target; an Aim; A Goal.
• A Result that is desired; an Intention
• The Act of intending to do something; Resolution; Determination
• The Subject of discourse; the Point at issue.
• The Reason for which something is done, or the reason it is done in a particular way

Summarily, your purpose is that singular reason why God created you. And don’t you dare reduce your purpose to just anything, just like so many persons have erroneously done. The second definition above has it that purpose is “a result desired”. By who? God himself. It’s God’s intention for you, His resolution. It therefore makes no sense to erroneously call that job, academic discipline, business, or hobby, your purpose. Imagine that God created you just to be a lawyer, banker, medical doctor, economist, politician, etc. Really??? If Adam had not sinned, hence imperfections, there wouldn’t have been any need for almost all of these professions, except singers, who would have to sing to God, which we all are a part of.

Don’t reduce the concept of Purpose to being equal with mere vision, goals or ambitions…

See what  the Apostle Paul told the people of Ephesus…

Ephesians 1:9:

“Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:”

Don’t you know that Purpose is found in God, and belongs to Him? It is in the understanding of God’s Purpose that vision is birthed. Run from that man/woman who always says he/she has a vision, but is still yet to discover his/her purpose.

Every vision God gives to us is to serve His purpose…

Be Purpose Driven. What does it mean to be Driven…?

According to the same English Dictionary, “Driven” is the past participle of DRIVE. The word "Drive" has the following meanings:

• To Impel or Urge onward by force; to Push Forward; to Compel to Move on.
• To Move by hitting it with great force
• To cause to Become.
• To Urge, Press, or Bring to a Point or State.

Therefore, to be Purpose Driven is…

“To forcefully move with meaningful reason”

Meaningful, because God is at the center of it. I urge you to impel and urge yourself onward by force to your purpose. Push yourself forward, compel yourself and move on, move yourself, and cause yourself to become and attain the reason for which God created you.

Purpose unfulfilled, is purposed abused…

How to be purpose Driven?

Very simple. Just…

• Discover your purpose
• Verify your purpose
• Activate your purpose
• Fulfill your purpose

How to discover your purpose.

You must understand that any meaningful desire to discover one’s purpose begins with honesty. It’s useless if you are just faking it or playing out a script. Also, understand that…

• There can be no discovery of purpose without a definite self-discovery.
• There can be no real self-discovery without self-knowledge.
• There can be no complete self-knowledge without self-love.

To discover your purpose…

• Look up! There couldn’t have been a better way to discover your purpose than from the source of your life Himself. Via revelation, you can understand God’s purpose for your life. Ask Him to reveal it to you and He will oblige you. And when you catch the light of your purpose, hold it. Let no one talk you out of it. It is as revealed to you. Remember that you don’t argue with a man’s revelation; it was revealed to him/her, not you. The same applies to you. 
• Look within! Understand that God, via His word, has deposited in us our purpose. From these deposits, we find direction. But looking within you is useless if you have not discovered yourself. Many motivational speakers would erroneously tell you that you can discover yourself via the senses. I disagree! Please understand that man came from God, and to discover man, you must discover God!!! When you discover God, He unearths to you all He has put in you. After all, when someone sends you on a journey, He gives you all you would require and tells you where to find what.
• Look around! I have met people who felt that God has just refused to reveal anything to them. I have also met people who felt that after several years of looking within, nothing has been found. If you belong to this class, then look around you. What do you see? I remember a story in the Bible where God asked Ezekiel “Son of man, what do you see?”. Do you see people suffering? Do you see people poor? Do you see people oppressed and battered? Do you see people sick and withered? What you see, how you see what you see, and the inference you divinely draw from what you see informs your purpose. What do you see?  

How to verify your Purpose…

Okay, you think you now know your purpose. But you wonder if you’re right. Well, to verify your purpose, check to see if that your Purpose is…

• Spiritual. Remember, everything must emanate from God and always serve His intent.
• Forceful. If it doesn’t push you to wake up every day, drop it.
• Dynamic. Can it stand the test of time? Can it always match current trends and advancements?
• Specific. Is it singular? If it’s even two (like “two purposes”), drop it.
• Tangible. Can the output of your purpose be quantitatively measurable always?
• Exclusive. Is it as revealed or a product of “copy and paste”?
• Full-Time. Is it for a lifetime?
• Impact oriented. Without a purpose that is bigger than yourself, you’re most likely to serve only yourself.

Purpose Activation

To activate your purpose, follow this simple formula expanded by me:

Where:

Knowledge = What you know x How you express what you know
Identity = Who you know x Who knows you
Discipline = Self-control minus Distractions
Time = measurable period x precision
Grace = The God factor

Tools to help you fulfill purpose…

• Mentorship: Experience diminishes the power of "unknowns".
• Relationship: Sustain your relationship with God, and Man. Meaningful synergy will always be a plus. Look out for destiny partners.
•  Humility: A tree that can bend with the storm is more likely to survive a storm.
• Time: The vision is for an appointed time. Don’t waste time. No time to waste time.
• Ideal Career path: Ensure it’s in line with purpose. It’s never too late to convert that career to be in tune with your purpose.

Debit and Credit of Purpose

Being purpose driven will always require something, but leave you with something…

                         DEBIT                                                                

 Deep commitment                                                 

 Sacrifice (Finance, relationships, etc.)                      

 Separation (From norms, status quos)                     

CREDIT
Fulfillment
Success
Relevance

Become purpose driven today, don’t wait till tomorrow. It will pay you now, later, and always. The earlier the better. Purpose makes you realize that not everything, not every job, not every career, or task, etc. is for you. It gives you focus and propels you forward to reach the zenith of who you really are. I do hope you will discover your purpose if you’re yet to. I do hope you will activate and seek to fulfil your purpose if you’re yet to. May you not fail the intentions of your maker. Amen!

Let me end with this:

Purpose births your vision. Discover it!

Vision births your desires. See it!!

Desires give inner strength for achievements. Do it!!!

Your decline, has declined. You’re on your way to better days!!!

Remember, to whom brain is given, sense is expected.

See you next week!

#SoloEdge

Your Friend,

Solomon C. Chinedu

scc.solomonchinedu@outlook.com

(Text messages only: +2349050680771)

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(References: The Bible (KJV), Niyi Adesanya, David Chinedu, Derek Dolin)

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