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“The means justifies the end and not the other way round because when you achieve the end without a valid means, the end becomes ephemeral.†– Dipo Tepede
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I want to take this opportunity to thank you for being with me through 2008 when my theme write-up was basically about entrepreneurship. I was able to decipher why fewer people venture this path though it promises a life of financial independence and subsequently creates a chain of economic abundance for the city. Uncertainty is the reason for minimal traffic to this all important path. You may read Burden of Entrepreneurship to understand more.
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Whenever, I am asked to speak on entrepreneurship, I open my audience to the greatest fear of entrepreneurship – uncertainty. We discuss on multiple streams of income as a panacea to uncertainty and seasonal flow of cash. On hindsight, I discovered that multiple streams of income though good is only a survival mode to uncertainty not a springboard to great wealth which is needed to create influence (please, read my write-up on Purpose).
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To get to the height of influence in whatever field you choose, you must go through process with patience and faith. Infact, the real cure to uncertainty is taking the step needed to your dream. If you dream of being a doctor, you must do what you can to get to Medical school; when you get to Medical school, you will be sure it is just a matter of time before being a doctor after going through the process. The process may be steep but that is what you must go through.
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I have never climbed a mountain before but I remember climbing a hill with a group of friends. Our aim was simply to picnic on top of this hill. As we kept climbing, we had no idea how the top will look like; we definitely had an idea but we were not sure what to expect. This uncertainty was scary because the climb was very strenuous and at the same time exciting. There was however two things that gave me confidence that we will definitely get to the summit;
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1.     People have climbed to the top of the hill before and have created a safe path to get there
2.     We were judiciously following the path that has been laid out so we were sure of getting to the summit.
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The number (1) mentioned above is called modeling; it is easy to achieve what someone has achieved before and number (2) is called process; it is simply follow the principles that a model has set. No matter how uncertain we were about an endeavor, we simply need to identify a model and follow the principle of the model. No matter how high the hill was, as long as we patiently follow the principles of the model, we will get there.
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Have you noticed that once a record of any kind is broken, so many people start breaking the same record? This record may have been unattainable but if one person attains the record, it becomes easier for every other person to attain the same record. What does this tell me on a personal level? There is really nothing impossible, just discover someone that has done it before and follow the principle the person used.
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We are quite fortunate in this generation because we have so many models before us who have exploited uncharted regions. So the question is not if we would succeed but if we are willing to succeed, if we are willing to go through the process to achieve the desired end. The process is definitely not a low hanging fruit because if you are willing to climb the mountain, you will know the strain associated with climbing it.
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So what happens if you decide not to climb the mountain? Let’s take a look at a recorded history in the bible about two brothers who decided to offer gifts to God; Cain, the eldest, offers the fruit of the ground while Abel offers the firstborn of his flock and the fattest portion of it. Abel definitely took the difficult terrain because he knew that would be accepted but Cain took the low road and the gift was not accepted.
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God’s explanation to Cain when he was not happy about the situation summarized the concept of process; “if you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door: its desire is for you but you must master it. If you decide not to climb the mountain of uncertainty and stick to the comfort of the plain, sin crouches at your door, ready and willing to sniff you because you will surely not be accepted.
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We definitely live in an uncertain world; nobody can actually predict tomorrow but we can predict the way tomorrow will be after observing some certain process. It is important to note that God will never tell us our tomorrow but will allow us extrapolate our tomorrow from whatever we do today or even if God tells us about our tomorrow, God will tell us what we ought to do to get there because there is no tomorrow without today’s process.
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The process is definitely not easy especially if you start the implementation; Jesus Christ felt the pain when he was about to be at the right hand of his father; “Lord, if it is your will, let this cup pass over meâ€. Surely if Jesus could feel this excruciating pain when he was about to save the world, you must understand that every glory has an overarching theme of pain. However, there are ways to mitigate this pain while going through the process;
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1.     You must see the end from the beginning though the end may be a bit blurry; seeing the end makes the process easy to accomplish.
2.     Encouragement from mentors and models make it very easy to transit through this process.
3.     Sharing experiences and resources with fellow mountain climbers will enable the journey very enjoyable.
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This year, I will be writing more on process; the number (1) solution above to easing the pain of process is your responsibility while I will try my possible best to provide the number (2) and (3), through interviews and articles. This is the promise of God to Himself after destroying the earth during the days of Noah; as long as the earth remains; seed time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
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A very encouraging post. People should know that nothing none of their dreams are impossible(i mean to some extent), but you must work for it.
you cant just get up in the morning and meet all your aspirations by your door step, you must work for it and also seek the lord’s grace.
Thanks.
..there is never a time to sleep; top class motivation from the prof. himself-sometimes u remind me of the classroom; the basis of any scientific discovery is solely powered by its process-and this makes it a successful model
This translates to: you never can be a model without a sane, legitimate process!
Thumbs up!
…there is never a time to sleep; top class motivation from the prof. himself-sometimes u remind me of the classroom; the basis of any scientific discovery is solely powered by its process-and this makes it a successful model
This translates to: you never can be a model without a sane, legitimate model!
Thumbs up!
Everyone desires to be great….but it comes with a price….The process is part of it. We need to go through a process. We also need a tutor and thats where you fit in.
thanks dipo
you speaking engagements would be a veritable means to pass on the message to the next generation.
pls spread the message.
balogun
well said biddy,ogu and aunty biddy..
@ dipo spot on dee.
@ all
its really painful that a lot didnt understand the concept of uncertainty when u spoke at the synergy seminar in OAU,ife.until one deals with certainty either as an entrepreneur or intrapreneur,one would definitely be tossed around by the waves of life with a vague picture of the future and that leads to frustration and settling for less than one is worth.that explains why we have lots people working yet unfulfilled,receiving paychecks yet no investment in the future.at the end of the day,he blames everyone but himself for living a miserable life.
the concept of model and process explains it all.until we can overcome the pain of the process,the future will always be an illusion.
thanks!
I have decided to repent this year concerning making comments on my own write-up especially answering some questions posed to me. This is a NEW YEAR resolution; Hope it lasts? (lol)
@ Edwin Christian
You are definitely spot on!
@ Ogu
A different and interesting perspective
@ Biddy
Great insight!
I would like to commend you on your New blog and to tell you that your contents are timely and uplifting. Please, kindly take time to read her article on Pandora’s Box – http://bridgetelesinspeaks.blogspot.com/2009/01/pandoras-box-waiting-for-your-change-to.html
Dipo, Thanks for this write up as indeed, the path we are on now has been passed by someone else before, no matter what your situation is and if you are the first to pass through that path, then God has used you as a model for others!Obama will be sworn in on the 20th of January as the first black American President, but he got there as a result of the process he took….he studied the system and knew the path to take and even to succeed at his work as President, he has been studying past presidents of America to learn and shape how his tenure will be like, he has decided to settle for Abraham’s Lincoln’s style of leadership as well as add his own style and with all this i believe, he will make a good president as he has picked a model that has passed the path, he will be going through soon.There is no excuse for us all not to succeed this year, except we choose not to.Its indeed our year to arise and shine in this uncertain world knowing that we serve a God of CERTAINTY!
http://www.bridgetelesinspeaks.blogspot.com
Dipo, Thanks for the enlightenment. We live in a world of uncertainty. It requires the Grace of God , proper planning, perserverance and i can make it attitude to survive. It is required more in this part of the world, Nigeria, where there is inadequate infrastructure and in some cases lack of it. God help us.
All, pls see the following:
YOU CAN PRINT YOUR LIFE TO GREATNESS
The world’s most successful investor, Warren Buffet, once revealed the secret of becoming rich “to be greedy when others are fearful and very fearful when others are greedyâ€.
No part of the world including Nigeria, can claim ignorant or immuned to the global financial crisis. I want to believe that the recent crisis is God’s own way of redistributing wealth. It will afford many people the opportunity to invest in areas which hitherto were either for the rich or were considered not attractive. New millionaires would be raised from no where. Several billionaires and millionaires will loose control of their investments and holdings. Have you heard that a Germany, 74 year old Adolf Merckle, recently took his own life. I am not surprised.
Do you believe that in 2009, fresh billionaires and millionaires would be raised. God will open people’s eyes to see opportunities as they come. Many jobs would be lost but God will raise many entrepreneurs also to fill the gap. Just trust in God. Believe that no matter the extent of financial meltdown, some services will continue to be on high demand. Yes, people will always make and receive calls 24/7. It is recession proof.
As a step towards realizing the above, I have in my possession an information on how to print recharge card vouchers in Nigeria. It is genuine, reliable and legal. Information is power. Please let me know if you need the information forwarded to your mail.
peeepventures@yahoo.com
Hello Dipo,
I Would like to use this medium to wish you and your family a most unique 2009.
Trully, sometimes when people embark on a mission to achieve a set target, the road ahead might be very uncertain—but having quality people arround you to guide you and with the help of the Holy Spirit—you can be rest assured to go ahead. Life is a risk.
It’s better we move by inner conviction (peace and believe in our set target) rather than move on condition (happenings, status quo) at that moment. Nothing get easier in the future.
A wise man once said that: Success is never final, Failure is never fatal, but the courage to continue is what matters.
We’ll get there.
Do have a wonderful week ahead. I’m looking forward to your articles all through the year 2009.
Christian E.A