I don’t like magic. As much as I tried I could never understand how illusion works and I hate to like what I don’t understand. The economic challenges facing us in Nigeria at the moment is like an illusion. The more you look the less you see. Like a scarf in the hands of an illusionist people’s wealth are disappearing, businesses are loosing profitability and jobs are being cut across the nation. It reminds me of some years back when stories abound of people’s penises disappearing upon a handshake. Since it is an era of illusion, we might as well embark on an illusory quest.

Let’s take a very good look at the picture. What do you see? It’s neither a game nor an illusion. I am going to ask a few questions and you will find the answers within.

1. Can you tell where the boat is located?
2. Can you tell where it is going?
3. Are there any obstacles in front of the boat?
4. Does the wave behind the boat affect or direct the movement of the boat?

If you are anything like me I am sure most of your answers are no.

So I will ask you to liken the boat to yourself, your business and our country.

1. You are where you are right now based on the decisions you made in the past.
2. I can’t tell where you’re going but it lies in your hands. You can turn left, right, forge ahead or even reverse. It’s up to you. You are responsible for your future.
3. Most times when we look ahead we don’t see obstacle we assume it will be smooth sailing but hey! Nothing good comes easy. There are sharks and whales in the water. The last thing you want is to capsize so by all means keep moving but be prepared to overcome every challenge you meet.
4. The waves are your past. The past doesn’t determine your future. The decision you made yesterday either good or bad has an effect on your current state but by no means determines your future state. Don’t get bogged down by the past.

• It is time consuming
• It slows you down
• It fills you with regret
• It often discourages you to make more choices.
• It is so irrelevant- just like we say ” I get am before no be property”

So yeah, I’ve made mistakes but I’ve learnt my lessons and I am moving on. Because you failed at something doesn’t mean you can’t get it right next time. Just like the boys brigade say “forward ever, backward never” (If you are an old guard like me you would ascribe it to a character in Cyprian Ekwensi’s ‘An African Nights Entertainment’).

Folks, please take another look at the far end of the picture. You can see that the waves begin to disappear. That proves that the past fades away. People forget, sins are forgotten and memories fade. The lesson here is simple; do not dwell on the past because it will be forgotten.

Life is not a race everyone’s journey is different.  Remember that the picture has one boat; therefore the only person important in the picture is you.  Stop judging… Stop comparing because you don’t know the capacity of the other person’s boat, so stop running another man’s race.

Take a look at the picture again, this time for the very last time. Note that there isn’t any land in sight.  Well, even the ocean surges onto land at some point. If like the boat your race looks like a marathon with no end in sight, trudge on and don’t be discouraged.  Everything in life takes time. So give it time and you will arrive at your destination.

As you move your boat today, take time to critically evaluate the decisions you’re about to make. Will it take you where you need to go? If yes, then forge on otherwise ‘think-strategize-act’.

Keep trying and by all means – keep moving.