FOOL'S WAY TO SUCCESS

Walking down the noisy road, away from home, away from the parental hassles and domestic responsibilities of the day, I tried to give useful answers to my own thought questions. I couldn’t help but admire the nice Porsche cars that drove by every once in a while, and the expensive ‘out of the world houses’ by the roadsides, I tried to compare them with the noisy, jalopy cars and the old tilted houses that looks to collapse at any minutes; money! I shook my head; I had to get me to my usual place of meditation, my ‘sanctuary’.

I turned off the road into the quiet street; my sanctuary in view. Minutes later, am climbing the stairs of the nine stories, uncompleted building, headed for the last decking. From there I can see miles round into the city; houses as big as my fist and humans, mosquito-sized. Sitting on the edge, I let my troubling thoughts run through again.

“What set the poor aside from the rich?”, “what exactly does it mean to be successful?”, “just like there is the ‘almighty formula’ for solving virtually all mathematical problem, does it exist, that one formula for treating poverty to sum up to success? Once a man becomes rich, he boasts of his hard work and how he ‘worked for it’ to be there. Ask ten millionaires how they made their money and you will end up with ten different stories.

He lives three blocks away, in his late thirties; Johnny Black, that’s what we call him, had just recounted his experience with the C.E.O of Bendwise Group of companies; a billionaire. He had told me he was going to meet with the man to seek for advice; he was on the verge of giving up. Fifteen minutes ago, he had just come back, laughing uncontrollably, ironic laughter; “youths of this days no longer strive for success, hard work. You need my advice on how to become successful like me? I doubt if you have what it takes to get there. You need to work hard, struggle, and be persistent, above all, be patient” Those where the C.E.O’s words of thought to Johnny. Then I joined in the laughter. 

Why? This is why...

As a regular student during his school days, Johnny worked night shifts all through in a hotel as a portal just to make ends meet.

At age thirty-eight, Johnny has two degrees and two Masters.
After three years of job hunting with his degrees, he resorted to menial jobs, living hand to mouth.
It is four years now and he is still working as a cleaner in Bendwise Group of Companies with his qualifications; he had applied for the post of Auditor and he is currently owed five months’ salary. NOTE: the C.E.O. headed the interview.

Your laughter is very much expected and welcomed too.

Currently in a career dilemma, a friend asked, “Do you think you have labored enough for success to come your way?” that, to me, is a very innocent but crucial question. But then, I have a question regards that; what is your definition of labor? As a writer, am I expected to work in a construction site or sell sachet water on the highway to deserve success in my field? Whatever happened to my sleepless nights in the course of writing? What about my sacrificing my social life just to meet up with the level of inspiration needed to deliver my literal skills? Of course I would love to party, but I cannot write in the club, and I cannot do that when am sleeping all day because am so tired from partying...and yes, I have been used, writing free articles, scripts and whatever I am needed to do for people who say; 

“don’t worry, I am going to make you famous, I am giving you an avenue to become a household name.” and yes, I am still been used.

I did not realize this, I have always known it; “success is not about ‘hard’ work, patience and perseverance; it is by four determinants; work, opportunity, luck and grace.”
Dangote, Andy Uba and Bill Gate did not sell gala on the highway for years, they never slept in the dust bin and never stayed months living off bread crumbs or drinking salted garri.
After much thought, I made my way down the stairs with a smile and glow on my face; I have made up my mind never to give up nonetheless the human crappy hindrances. Let them use you, that is a fool’s way to success, probably the WISEST way.

Reginald Chidera.