I was privileged to host some of my colleagues from Siera Leone over the weekend and they amused me as I drove through the famous city of Lagos, Nigeria. They were either clutching firmly to their sit or clapping enthusiastically as I meandered through buses, road intersections and traffic. They asked me why everyone drives so ferociously in this West African mega city and I had to explain things to them.
You see, the majority of Lagos drivers feel cheated that's why we drive ruthlessly. The streets and roads of Lagos are guarded by the "Lagos State Traffic Management Agency" aka LASTMA, well these guys are supposed to be arrest traffic offenders but the worst of these traffic offenders (bus drivers) have been in existence long before their creation. Thus they seem above the Law. It is painful when you have to queue up in line only for a bus driver to drive past a long queue to the very beginning and get waved through by the same LASTMA official(s) that is supposed to arrest a traffic offender. So you see? The Lagos driver has evolved to beat the system. Its more like saying, if you can't beat them, join them.
However, this is not an advisable approach to life. We must learn to stop at Zebra crossings for people to cross over. Do you know people look at you as strange when you do this in Lagos? Drivers have become callous as to zoom past "the red light" on intersections. It is only when there is some form of authority to enforce compliance that drivers obey. Some habits are destined to fail. Have you ever wondered why with all the rush these bus drivers do, they never seem to have attained anything in life? Have you ever wondered what the networth of a driver will be or ought to be? Think!
There is a place for discipline in self actualization. If you want to be a million dollar business man, you have to be very disciplined. You must stand for something. Your word must be your bond. You must have core values that define you. It must be that when your name comes up in a discussion, people can say something like- "that guy is dependable" (and sight examples to substantiate this).
Those that have chosen the path of indiscipline and corruption have left behind legacies of shame and disdain. We have a history of corrupt leaders in the past that have left billions of ill gotten wealth and a family in dis array. Their names are now associated with shame. However, successful people are known for particular lifestyles. They wake up at certain times, they dress is a particular way, read particular books, keep to time etc take time to watch them.
I encourage you to stand for something. When you go to a friend and family member to give you a loan to do business, let it be that they know at the back of their minds that you will be disciplined enough to see that business through and repay their loan. Do not be known as a defaulter.
Maybe you can get a group of friends together and assess each other by writing out traits that you are known for. At the end of such an exercise you can work on the bad things you are known for. Take this as an O.T.I. ie "opportunity to improve" . Refuse to follow the crowd. Be somebody different.
Till we meet again, believe in yourself, stand for something positive and keep winning.
David Chiaka
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