(Personal Philosophy paper
- originally written/e-published on 2nd March 2003
by Tayo Solagbade - Founder SDAc)
Those who accept the need to seek assistance
from successful persons, and/or be religious in order to achieve
success, in my opinion sometimes tend to assume that’s
ALL they need to do. Which is why they neglect to do the most
crucial thing necessary to achieve the success they so fervently
desire. They fail to take personal
action !
Too many people think all they need
to do is DESIRE success and express that desire to anyone
they believe can help them, who will then help them! Maybe
it happens that way at times, but it won’t be often!
My objective
is to show people how they can apply tested and proven SD
principles to achieve their personal goals in life.
I hope to help them realize they can do more for themselves
than they currently believe. All it takes is for them to STOP
being fatalistic and LEARN to accept life’s challenges
as pre-requisite for achievement of their set goals.
I have chosen this approach because
I found that methods employed by many others to effect socio-cultural
change in Nigeria/Africa have not really worked well. I have
chosen NOT to be a Social Critic or commentator because even
after criticizing or commenting, one will suggest alternatives,
which then have to be implemented by others (or with the cooperation
of others). The problem with that method is that any resultant
plans could be easily frustrated via bureaucratic processes,
and other extraneous influences prevalent in our developing
societies etc.
I have chosen to be a SOCIAL CHANGE
AGENT who advocates, and propagates, Self-Development
Education (SDE). I strongly believe SDE can stimulate
people to take PERSONAL ACTION to create changes that enable
them achieve their personal goals consistently and repeatedly.
The technique I use (Spontaneous
Coaching™) ensures that I can carry on –
day and night – preaching SDE wherever I go, with or
without the cooperation of decision makers or “authorities”.
How? Through influencing others by my actions and also by
sharing my thoughts, ideas, failures and successes (some people
wrongly interprete this as an attempt to boast or show off).
I developed this concept myself, and
have used it successfully for over 10 years. I have testimonials
from many individuals confirming how I helped them greatly,
using this method.
People with mental attitudes that enable
them take control of what happens to them daily, are unlikely
to be seriously (if at all) affected by vagaries of their
country’s socioeconomic circumstances. They are more
likely to make the best of them, rather than fall apart. It
is my conviction that knowing how to ADAPT to inevitable changes
that could make your survival skills obsolete, is of crucial
importance(SDE will equip anyone
with the requisite preparation to do the foregoing).
For example, graduates unemployment
statistics would drop if they acquired income-generating skills
while still in university! SDE if started early, will get
young Nigerians/Africans thinking about ALTERNATIVES to traditional
employment much earlier on in their lives. The Self-Development
Academy Limited (SDAc RC 492,204) for instance aims
to expose them to low startup capital vocations they could
venture into, and even facilitate “entry” for
those of them who indicate interest.
The foregoing
is one of my motivations for being a Muiltpreneur.
To succeed more frequently, one needs a multiple-career strategy.
Acquisition of a variety of skills to generate income and
capture opportunities in today’s fast-changing marketplace
will boost one's chances of achieving prosperity and fulfillment
independent of economic fluctuations. This concept has been
used in developed societies since the early 90s. My article
titled “How
To Be A Jack Of Many Trades™, And Why It Can Make You
Succeed More Often” elaborates on how anyone with
the necessary interest and motivation can successfully adopt
it for use wherever s/he is.
As explained in Tom
Gorman’s book on “Multipreneuring”,
one can develop multiple sources of income and pursue multiple
careers( in paid, or self-employment). A key suggestion made
in the book, is for the individual to continually acquire
new learning, and also take advantage of opportunities that
appear in the market place as they become apparent.
I successfully employed this technique
while in paid employment for seven(7) years, and earned significantly
rapid career advancement ahead of people with higher qualifications,
and years on the job. My earlier mentioned
article on Multipreneuring gives details. This is what
I want to share with other young (and not so young) people
in Nigeria/Africa - and beyond. They can also achieve similar
successes by diligently practicing Self-Development . All
that is required is adoption of the required mental attitude.
Sadly, many people are instantly biased
against anyone who ventures into multiple vocations. They
belong to the “traditional school”, which insists
a person must specialize. Such sentiments betray a scary lack
of exposure to 21st century trends in skills acquisition now
crucial for successful as opposed to existential living.
Robert Kiyosaki advocates becoming
a generalist first, before specializing. Herman Holtz, the
late legendary Consultant's Consultant, acknowledged that
certain individuals can find success through their versatility(learn
more about his interesting revelations in my article
on Multipreneuring).
I have
frequently suffered discrimination because I “wear many
hats”. In my former workplace, it initially earned
me criticisms, but later got me recognition and career advancement
opportunities because my versatility became an asset to every
team I worked in! Since I became
an entrepreneur, the story has been the same.
Some people erroneously think that
their “schooling” will be adequate to cater for
them through life. Technology has made that a thing of the
past. Today, without diligent practice of Self-Education,
one stands a chance of becoming suddenly obsolete or extinct
– virtually overnight!
In summary,
my message is that through SDE, ANYONE can be empowered to
become the best s/he can possibly be in life. Maybe I won’t
change the world. But for those few people who will appreciate
it, I certainly intend to try! 
| The
Internet’s Role In My Approach To Self-Development
Education
The method I employ in
my work on Self-Development Education is multifaceted
and continually evolving. I believe this is the
only way to stay relevant in the face of rapid
changes in the business of people development
and empowerment. I consult old/new literature
alike, modifying concepts, ideas etc (where necessary)
to what I believe suits the present. I also draw
heavily from my personal experiences (and those
of others I know to be authentic) as it relates
to the practice of self-development – and
it’s teaching.
I have found the Internet
to be a particularly invaluable resource, for
staying on the cutting edge of developments in
virtually ANY area of endeavour I have had to
explore in my pursuit of Self-Development/Self-Development
Education.
Video recordings/film shows
etc may sometimes be limited in content/scope,
and could become obsolete over time. The Internet
however, by its very nature, cannot become obsolete
- because it readily lends itself to TIMELY updates
from every part of the world. For instance, the
contents of a website can be changed within minutes
to reflect the most recent developments in a particular
area of interest on earth!
Therefore, in my opinion,
to successfully embark on Self-Development/ Self-Development
Education in the 21st century and beyond, WE must
harness the immense opportunities offered by the
Internet in a way that will ENABLE us (and those
who learn from us), grow and develop more successfully.
T.K.
SOLAGBADE
(Excerpted
from text of presentation delivered - on 25th
September 2002 - at Center for Management
Development titled "Self-Development
As A Tool for Achieving Career Advancement")
|
|
Related Articles:
1.
I Am A Self-Development Educator
And NOT A Motivational Speaker
2. Should
You Quit Your Job or Start Your Business Part-time?
3. When I Quit My Job, They Called Me Mad - And I Felt So,
So Sorry for Them!
4. Avoid Taking Lessons
On Entrepreneuring From The Wrong Person(s)
5. Practical Guiding
Philosophies For Entrepreneurial Success
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