A Poem : TURN ON THE LIGHTS…….

The youths are the future

And when you look in this picture I hope you see yourself feature

It is the true course of nature, life’s ordained culture

Our passion is our inspiration, who gives a damn about the torture

Life itself gave us the lecture

It’s our future and we must ensure, that no one can for us insure

This is not about skin texture or more or less about the peer pressure

This isn’t about kind gestures

Those foundations we already punctured

Through experience we’ve gained exposure

History has defined our function; our fathers have given us no option

We would not be held bound by sanctions

From above, this one with a divine auction, the step towards redemption

A sacrifice, the only price

In pride our fathers tossed the dice, ears deafened to our cries

Truth replaced with lies, a house filled with mice, everyone itching for a slice

What a horrible sight, we were born like candles lit at night

Exposing the evil that reigned in the absence of light

With loud screams our fathers yelled “TURN OFF THE LIGHTS”

And so many were left to walk in the dark, to believe it was knowledge we lacked

We grew and became masters in the act, became faster, wiser, joined the pack just so we could stay intact.

But today we have come off age, well trained and too strong to be caged

Not afraid to turn the next page, our hearts are eager for change, our dreams are within range,

It’s time for an exchange; the youths like lions have broken free

And just so the world would see that in our heart we are free

And our minds are made up for real

Together we “TURN ON THE LIGHTS

How to get it Right the first time

        A whole lot of people believe life should be fair and that everyone deserves a second a chance. Then I ask; why don’t we have the opportunity to re-live those days and events in which we performed poorly? Why don’t the hands of time turn back and the years repeat themselves? Why don’t our ages go backwards sometimes and let us have back those times we missed? It’s simply because life wasn’t meant to be so. The end game of life is not giving you a second chance but seeing that you get it right the first time and every time. 

       Now I know I ain’t perfect and no one is. I believe I have made more mistakes in my generation than anyone my age and I’m so sorry. But been sorry changes nothing, it only makes me feel better and others feel sympathy, but it doesn’t give me back what I’ve lost and things would never be the same again. Thus the purpose of this article is to let you in on this very deep truth, of knowing how to get it right the first time, because there might never be another chance which many of you who have had such experiences can well understand. This is what life demands of you that you drive through up every little opening that comes your way; seeing it as a once in a life time opportunity.

       A second chance is a rare privilege, a miracle I’d say and should not be banked on. You don’t guarantee you a second chance and neither does life. So it’s about taking this i.e. what you got, this opportunity, this opening and making it your speedboat to success. Now the big question!

HOW DO I GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME?

Life has a way of rewarding you for doing things at the right time in the right way and for the right reasons. These are three primary keys you need to get it right the first time. Once you’ve answered these questions; then you can take these principles below and make them your manual.

1.      Rise Early: taking opportunities requires arriving first most times. It’s not something you start when the opportunity shows up; it’s something you start before the opportunity even surfaces. You want to be best at what you do; start at it early and even the naturally skilled would have you to deal with. The strong point is that you are well prepared before the opportunity comes the first time and every time.

2.      Set Goals: you want to get it right the first time? Know what you are up against and take it down bit by bit. Every bit a goal until the very last one.

3.      Listen: first point of failure is failure of communication. This is a by-product of just hearing and not listening. ‘Listening’, make it a habit, close attention to detail, there is always a voice saying something you need to grab and run with. It may be instructions, suggestions, complaints, advise, elaboration, direction etc.

4.      Adhere to instruction: when it’s your first time, you’ve got to do all it takes to stay in line. Mistakes are good, errors are lessons but could be set backs. Remember the goal is to get it right the first time so stick to the rules, and save yourself the torture of hoping for a second chance.

5.      Be Resilient: In the end it’s not the better man that wins but the man with more heart. A team of stars they say doesn’t necessarily mean a star team. What’s important is your refusal to give up or give in, this is what sets you apart. When all else fails, stand your ground. If what you are doing is right and is what you want; then never let anyone discourage you or change your mind. Stay goal oriented, focused, determined and disciplined; heroes are born this way.

6.      Be innovative: Thinking outside the box is an idiomatic term for been creative. It’s learning the skill of making use of what you have to get what you want. The answers are always lurking around; you just have to look deeper to see them.

7.      Research: A broader perspective or an elaborated view and understanding paves way for not only success but expertise. More knowledge keeps you ahead and indispensable.

8.      Be Mentored: Experience is the best teacher when it is not yours; because by the time you get the experience, you can no longer use it. So a mentor’s experience eliminates trial and error situations, and saves you a whole lot more time. Sometimes to see very far, one has to climb on the shoulders of others.

9.      Prudence: The habit of wastage is a lack of efficiency. The ability to get the job done in lesser time and with lesser resources makes you an asset. Calculate your cost, get your preferences right, your substitutions, and best deals. Be accountable because this is the root on which trust is built.

10.  Be proactive: Having a bit of foresight is important, it is called strategy like the game of chess. Learn to analyze situations and events, read between the lines to identify your next line of action.