"Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire."- Arnold H. Glasow
source
Let me share a little story.
I once attended a business seminar where I and over 50 individuals where supposed to learn the art of being successful and then maybe go on to apply it to become successful.
The hall was reasonably full and when I got the unsolicited SMS inviting me for a "life transforming business seminar," I just figured my guardian angel was somewhere pulling the strings of success my way.
After thinking about it for what was less than a minute, I got dressed and off to being successful.
On getting to the venue, i saw dozens of young people standing outside chatting excitedly with themselves and also sharing friendly banters, but i could tell, they were excited as I was about this "life transforming business seminar."
38minutes later, (27 minutes after the expected start time) we were ushered into the poorly designed hall and I just knew right there I was about to be thought how to stay poor for forever.
I took my seat as everyone else and we waited. Minutes later, a lady came to address us and from her poor English, I guessed a school dropout or one of those who went to school but never allowed the school spirit to go through her.
I didn't pay too much attention to whatever it was she was saying because by then, I started taking a liking or dislike to the environment I found myself. It was becoming less life transforming.
The caliber of people who formed the organizing team were looking like the Egypt I was hoping to escape from.
After her heart-breaking speech, she asked that we all stood up to welcome the "leader" while clapping. I didn't stand up; I refused to stand up because, it didn't sound life transforming.
Of course everyone else stood up save for myself and another lady at the far end of the room. Everyone stood up for the "leader".
Encore.
And in walked in a not too impressively dressed young man who I could clearly see was struggling to make ends meet from his outfit and then his shoes. His shoes looked beaten and unkempt.
I couldn't believe I was there...How could I have been so stupid to be dragged to this kind of a 'life transforming business seminar'?
When the guy noticed I wasn't standing, he was upset and asked that I stand up or leave. I knew I wasn't going to stand up for him so I walked out while smiling and everyone else looked at me like a fool.
I didn't turn back neither did I regret doing that.
Why didn't I stand up?
It is simple.
HOW AND WHY SHOULD I BE MENTORED BY SOMEONE WHO IS NOT ON FIRE?
How can someone who looked so struggled up teach me how to improve my life?
How can I expect to learn a life transforming business lesson from someone who shoes I would never be caught wearing?
How can i expect to learn when I wasn't even feeling motivated by being in the midst of these individuals?
How can a bunch of poorly educated people (in and out) help me appreciate value?
How can someone who wants to transform my life with his teachings come late to his class?
Why do I have to be forced to acknowledge him because he wants to feel entitled?
Why did he feel he should be addressed as a "leader" when he doesn't even look it?
I can go on and on and trust me, if it was you, you wouldn't stand up.
Fast forward months later, I got news that the "leader" and his team were arrested for defrauding some people through MMM. Yes, it was MMM that was being preached and because the guy in question could talk to people to partake in a ponzi scheme, he quickly titled himself.
The MMM wave swept across the Nigerian Nation leaving many heart broken and financially dead.
In our world today, there are lots of people who cannot ignite themselves and they seek to ignite someone else. It takes fire to set something ablaze, without the heat in you, you will not be able to do much for yourself or others.
Making real impact is hard. Anyone can make impact, but you need to look closely to see the depth and level of impact being made. The fact that you work hard is no guarantee for spontaneous success.
You may have what it takes, but you need to set yourself on fire. Without the fire in you, you will not be able to help others set themselves on fire.
wow....I am on fire.... :)
Work hard can guarantee success but not quicker success. I have also a story on these lines. Please do read and give me your feedback https://steemit.com/motivation/@nids209/secrets-to-success
I feel so associated with your thoughts. Nice blog my friend. :)
On fire!!!
Often times, some folks are so desperate for success neglecting the vital rules involved. One mustn't necessarily be desperate to achieve success but the key thing is to ignite your passion for success now that's setting yourself on fire.
MMM that year....Lol! Thank God I never fell prey to it
That year was craze and that was the closest I got to doing mmm.
Stay awesome!
Too many people has followed the wrong leaders because of the words they here rather than the contents.
Our ability to lay attention to our environment rather than get carried away by our desires for success is a skill that is needed to survive.
We must always follow the best paths in life so we get clear cut results and not one painted to deceive.
Stay awesome!
Hahaha. @ejemai. I really can relate to this boss. I remember whe i was still job searching in 2011. I got a text to come for an interview. I packed my stuffs and went all the way to Lagos. I set out for the venue and honestly i was the best dressed among all the people there. I couldn't believe i came all the way from Ilorin Kwara state for such. We qued up and were told to buy files of #100 naira with our question paper. Well, i was there already so, i saw it through; the questions were wacked and the environment was like an abandoned primary school. I just shook my head that, ah, see what job hunting did to me. Guess what? After the whole stuff, the file and question paper was collected back oo. Lol. In two weeks time i got a message to come for a job. I didn't bother to move an inch cause i didn't want to see another drama. Glad i have a job now. Networking rightly to get another sef. Thanks for this post.
Lol, you won't believe the sets of people who you see at the other side of the table conducting the interview. Life has so many stuffs to teach. One of my friends actually got a job like that only to discover he was meant to be marketing liquid soap.
Stay Awesome!
Fire fire!
That's one of the major or will I say Nigeria in particular problem we have in this part of the world where those who call themselves learder don't know the meaning of a leader all they want is to be worshipped by their followers, lacking completely the spirit of a leader.
Actually am a motivational/Life or business writer you can check out my blog and feed your selves with some inspirations https://steemit.com/@adahmiracle
The hunger for titles is the pain evident in the this part of the world. Leadership is not vested in titles but rather in character.
Stay awesome!
Thanks
I so much enjoy this post, u are weldone
@ejemai
Yes... @ejemai, your so right.
This goes in line with a post I made few days ago on Branding and Packaging...
True, every human being is always in search of opportunities and ways to make impact but for you to attract that thing you wish to attract, you have to work on yourself to look the way you want to be addressed..
I've attended seminars too where the mere sight of the presenter gave me an overall conclusion of the outcome, at that point, I totally lose interest and sometimes leave before the commencement of the presentation.
Branding and packaging goes a long way to help us form great enough understanding of what we truly seek to achieve.
Stay awesome!
Thanks boss @ejemai..
Check it out https://steemit.com/esteem/@gloxypearl/self-branding-and-packaging-c3c24ff38f8fe
@ejemai you are a born motivator, writer, fashion conscious, or do I say u have dress sense?, well packaged in all you do, very funny in analyzing those you met. I truly enjoyed this post, but I couldn't control my laughter 😂😂😂😂😂 even when I was in deep thought before I came across ur post. More anointing @ejemai. I remember what my mother told me in those days and it is what my children have adapted to by God's Grace, that I should never wear bathroom slippers outside my home for I do not know the kind of person am going to meet on the way. That eventually will determine the kind of person I am. Thank God you left the scene, your personal Angel was in control.👍👍👍.
Thanks for the kind words and I must say, your mum taught you well.
Stay awesome!
Thanks for the kind worlds
And unjust say your mum taught
You well. Stay awesome!
- ejemai
I'm a bot. I detect haiku.
I have just been set on fire with this post now.. its a very challenging time for me and my steemit career. But this post has just ignited a fire in me to continue to move on.. thanks boss @ejemai
Mostly we say don't judge a book by its cover lol but how your story ended is quite unusual. People can be uncool in their dresses but turn out to be very successful. To be set on fire i would say must not depend on what you wear but your determination and making your efforts known to whatever team you lead. Thanks for sharing this piece tho @ejemai
I agree we do not judge books by the cover, but sometimes it helps us form some simple understanding of what to expect.
When you set out to inspire, it doesn't have to be your words alone because if it is, you will struggle to impact.
The dressing doesn't exactly determine how it will end but it does give the viewers some kind of aspirations and belief.
Stay awesome!
Lol i get your point. You too dear