Your Excellency

It was Andrew Carnegie, a business magnate and philanthropist, who wrote that "you cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb a little". An everyday folklore says you can lead a horse to the river but you can't force it to drink water. Anyone who is destined for excellence must have a teachable spirit; always aiming to set new records and gaining new grounds. The drive for excellence is internal whereas the outcome is external. To excel is to be extremely successful, exceptionally good, superior in accomplishment or surpass others in achievement. According to John W. Gardner, excellence is doing ordinary things extraordinarily well. A man or woman of excellence cannot be ignored. Excellence enhances your real worth. It improves your value greatly.

While searching for an important document last year, I stumbled on a long-forgotten treasure - my valedictory speech. In life, certain roles are bestowed on you because of your achievement(s). One of such is the - once in a lifetime(?) - role of the valedictorian. A role reserved for the best amongst graduating students of a particular academic institution in a particular year because they deserved it. I had such a unique and wonderful experience in 1991.  Towards the eve of the convocation ceremony, I was handed a piece of paper and a pen by the administrative official with the expectation of crafting my speech within the shortest time possible. The office was almost closing for the day and the speech would still have to be typed by the administrative secretary. Instructively, the thoughts penned down remained evergreen. However, I would recall that the euphoria at the event on that fateful day was at best ephemeral. So short-lived that moments after the delivery, I felt "empty". Cursorily, I learnt a very important lesson from that experience. You are as good as your last accomplishment. Hence, you just have to keep pushing the boundaries in subsequent phases of life.

Why did I choose the title "Your Excellency" for this article? Choosing a title of honour reserved for privileged few in the society is a deliberate act of provocation. You can't rise beyond your self-limiting beliefs. Brian Tracy says, "you begin to fly when you let go of self-limiting beliefs and allow your mind and aspirations to rise to greater heights". If you want to excel in life, you must belief that you can. Then, you can take the next steps listed below –

·        Be very sure you love what you do.

·        Set your mind on expected end.

·        Learn what it takes to reach your goal and work at it.

·        Work hard and work smart.

·        Cherish time as highly valuable resource not to be wasted.

·        Continuously upgrade yourself - Keep learning.

·        Seek feedback for continuous improvement.

·        Lend helping hands to others by way of coaching or mentoring

·        Know that every problem has a solution, hence pursue excellence relentlessly.

It doesn't matter which area of MEGA BALISTIC RAMMON you belong, excellence is attainable. Whether in Military, Energy, Government or Academics (MEGA), Business, Advertising, Law, Infotech & Telecomms, Sports, Tourism, i-World (comprising entertainment and media) and commerce (BALLISTIC), Religion, Agriculture, Mining, Medicine and Other Nuances of vocations (RAMMON), the world is waiting for “excellent you”. Go for it, "Your Excellency".

Changing gear, Powering ahead?

Happy New Year! Welcome into year 2020!! It's the first day, in the first month - I mean 01/01/2020. Quite amazing!!!

This is one year that promises to be an awesome one at personal, family, corporate, national and global level. I must admit that every new year have the same potential only that I am so fascinated with the rhyme “20-20” to accord this one its special status. Is this year one in which you need to slow down a bit at the onset and deliberately work things out for the better or one in which the fundamentals are strong already such that you are at vantage position to “change gear and power ahead” without let or hindrance? You are in the best position to deliver the just verdict.

It was in 2004, a year I’ll never forget for so many reasons (and that space will not permit me to discuss), that I had a unique encounter. I had acquaintance with a great leader who was the MD of a reputable company in Asia Pacific. He was the one who socialized the mantra “Changing Gear, Powering Ahead” and it has stuck with me since then. It was such a powerful message that resonated with all stakeholders that the business outlook was one in which the coast was clear for the company to power-on and deliver dividends to the shareholders sustainably. Can you say the same about yourself? Are you so certain that there are no aspects of your life that needs adjustment, improvements or rejuvenation in one form or the other? Have you identified areas in which you can safely step-up and power ahead?

Those who are familiar with manual transmission vehicles know that you cannot speed-up or slow-down without first engaging the gear that is commensurate with the desired speed. Irrespective, there are conditions that must be met before a driver engages the gear and speed up without unintended consequences. Such includes but not limited to the following:

    - The driver have not forgotten vital things required for a successful journey behind.

    - The driver is conversant with the speed limit and operates within that limit.

    - The car is in good condition and not showing any untoward signs in operation/motion.

    - The road condition is good and the weather condition is favourable.

    - The driver have double-checked and have a clear view that it is safe to speed-up with seat-belt securely fastened from onset.

In the same vein, “changing gear” in our context  is an idiomatic expression for changing from one activity or level of engagement to another. We are at a unique moment having just transited from one year into another successfully. What are the requisite requirements or vital things you must arm yourself with to have a successful year? Do you know your limits and operate within them? Are you certain of your mental, emotional and physical state of health? Are you operating in an enabling or hostile environment? Are your friends and acquaintances such that encourages you or reverse is the case? Have you taken stock and can safely say that the coast is very clear for you to change gear and power ahead in the new year? 

Whatever you must do this year, understand early what it will take for you to end it well. Envision the end from the beginning. This is the 2nd of Stephen Covey’s seven habits of highly effective people after “Being proactive” - “Begin with the end in mind”. Work towards your vision and don’t allow detractors have their way along the journey. Just like the driver behind the wheel, you are not answerable to anyone but yourself. “Only the wearer knows where the shoes pinches”. Hence don’t disappoint yourself. Don’t endanger yourself neither the life of others around you. Be safe as I wish you all the best in the new year. Changing gear? Let’s power ahead safely!