You Got This!

Each time I drove past this interior decoration shop I wished I had time to stop by.

From the array of display they had outside the shop, I was sure I would have options to select from. I was excited and expectant when I finally had some time to stop by.

The owner greeted me warmly on entering and I couldn’t wait to discover what they had to offer.

Entering into the shop, I was shocked to see there was no leg space to move around, there were so many items that the shop owner and the assistant literarily had to be moving items around the shop to allow for mobility.

My usual optimistic self, I tried to make up excuses for them that perhaps they were having a bad day, maybe the shop assistant was new and unfamiliar with the daily shop arrangement, maybe they opened later than usual and were yet to settle down when I came in or maybe an unexpected consignment came in…

Every item I requested was being frantically searched for, the shop owner kept muttering to herself that she was sure she had those items, unfortunately she was unable to find a single one!

After waiting for what seemed like forever, I took my leave and to think she had the nerve to ask me to stop by again?!

Not only was I disappointed that I did not get the items I went there to get, my time was also wasted.

I came out of the shop, I could not but think about my own life. Are there areas in my life, work, relationship and business where I repel opportunities due to my lack of order and subsequently the inability to make room for more?

Disorderliness repels, It rubs you of your moments, it is that unsuspecting crack where money, life, relationship and business seep through. It precedes overwhelm and frustration.

It causes over exertion with minimal result to show for it and need I say it is a perfect recipe for easy distraction.

Order on the other hand declutters the mind - the clearer your mind, the better the quality of your thought. Order makes room for increase, positions you for opportunities and births Innovation.

Now order does not necessarily mean ‘spick and span’. For one it may mean an organized desk that enhances productivity, for another it may mean an organized business process that leads to business expansion or better still the re-organization of priority for some.

I challenge you to create order in your life in this year and watch as new opportunities begin to flow in your direction from all areas.

You got this!

Prejudice or What?

Being dubbed as unfriendly is bad enough, but when unfriendliness meets unpleasant looks, it's not a good combination. It keeps well-meaning people at arm’s length.

They say ‘never to judge a book by its cover’, but what do you do when the cover self-sabotages? Such was the case of Max.

His mean look, hostile demeanor and rude approach earned him a much-desired space from colleagues. His outfits from face masks to tee-shirts were known to convey one form of negativity, sarcasm or another. Not someone you would be excited to have on your team, right?

Well, you can guess my ‘excitement’ when we fell in the same project team.

Not knowing how to even break the ice, I started by jokingly expressing how much of an unusual person he was. For the first time, I noticed a lift in his brows, obviously from a smirk well masked by his scary skull-inscribed face mask.

A few minutes into our cautious conversation he winced, complained of tiredness and light headedness.

Taking that as a cue for further conversation, I cautiously asked if he needed help. This was all I needed to ask and this 'puzzle' of a man led me into his world. Born extremely prematurely, with crossed eyes, he has had to battle several health complications from birth which of course was responsible for his physical appearance, series of heart failures, by the age of two, both lungs had collapsed and he had to be aided and for the last 27 years has had a metal substance worked through his skull, through his torso all the way to his abdomen which was long overdue for a replacement hence the pain he was now beginning to feel.

He explained as he attempted to show the visible part of the trajectory of the procedure from his skull down to me. I’m not quite sure at what point I zoned off the details….my initial judgmental disposition melted into compassion for this very much misunderstood individual.

Indeed, everything seen on the outside was a façade, some sort of life copping mechanism.

Not only did I put in a word for him to get a much-needed time off to rest before his procedure plus It was a pleasure to check up on his progress.

Alas, he was nothing close to the ‘beast’ everyone thought he was. As a matter of fact, he was a mobile life lesson on ‘how not to give up on life’. I thought long and hard on how we are sometimes quick to judge people who don't fit our ideal profile, and sometimes we even share our unfounded opinions with others handling the baton of prejudice to them.

As for me, after that experience, I got a new shine on the lenses through which I saw life and people, plus I believe I grew an inch taller in self-awareness.

Take out- When tempted to judge a book by its cover, I have learnt to rip the cover off and dive in, indeed an adventure or a lesson awaits.

A Piece In A Puzzle...

Just as a piece of puzzle does not make sense outside of the big picture, so also is our life outside of purpose.

What is the difference between Life Purpose and Goals in life?

What is the connection between our goals in life and our Life purpose?

Goal is an end result usually set in a context over which you have a certain level of control. It is usually SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Time bound)

While Your purpose is your WHY?

That 'void' you were created to fill.

Your purpose is a 'goal' in the mind of your creator.

Unlike 'goal' that is defined and given a charted course,

'purpose' is meant to be discovered

As a matter of fact,

In the discovery and pursuit of purpose lies 'personal fulfilment' which I believe we all crave and desire!

So if we all agree that Purpose is God determined....when then is the ideal time to discover purpose

I came across the meaning of 'Discover'-

To find (something or someone) unexpectedly or in the course of a search.

While it is desirable to discover your purpose early in life, we all know it is not always the case.

Note: THERE IS NO SHAME IN SEEKING HELP TO DISCOVER YOUR PURPOSE IN LIFE!

Reading this is a combination of those who have discovered and are living in purpose and those that are yet to discover theirs. Whichever category you fall, you are not alone.

A few years back I had a book on my desk in the office. I was in a study group with a group of people and we were reading a book on 'purpose'...a lousy colleague came in and made joking remarks about me trying to find my purpose after 2 kids!...while that made for a good joke for some, it was very unhealthy...Insensitive comments such as this discourage people from seeking help where necessary.

This is why many people - especially believers want to appear as though they have 'got it' when in truth they haven't

So here is the question:

Have you identified God's purpose for your life?

It is absolutely okay to search, pray and seek clarity on your purpose.

The only time when there is danger is when you live your life ignorant and oblivious of the fact that you have a purpose.

- Bisi Mogaji