Emmanuel Faith’s Story || The Improvement Challenge #TIC21
Remember The Improvement Challenge? Last month, I started and ended an Improvement Challenge that lasted for twenty-one days. For more information, click. Emmanuel Faith joined in the Challenge (albeit he didn’t inform me) and he sent me his Improvement Challenge story and how it has helped him. Do enjoy!
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Our mind is like a rubber band, the more it stretches, the more its effectiveness
John Maxwell
I was captivated by my beloved friend’s status which read “21 days improvement challenge”. My adventurous mind pushed me to making some inquisitive enquiry and with few words of persuasion, I was convinced to join this “movement”. Dont mind me, I particularly love puzzles, mental tasks and challenges.
“What do I want to do consistently for 21 days?” I asked myself. Different ideas flowed through my mind as my thoughts tussled to and fro. After ruminating for a while, I decided to write a poem daily and read a chapter from the book of Proverbs.
I missed my quill that spilled God’s will, and mine too. With vivid vivacity, I picked up my pen and made it dance heartily, scribbling my first poem titled “Black and White” which was dedicated to all my friends who are barristers in the making.
Dedicating an hour daily to my newly found quotidian adventure, I wore the clothe of consistency until laziness paid me a visit bringing procrastination along. There was nobody to monitor or check on me (Next time, I suggest we do this with an accountability partner). I lost my zeal and momentum. However, like Thomas Edison said, “You are not a failure until you fail to try again”, I sent laziness packing and continued with a stronger zeal and guess what! In the span of twenty one days, I wrote twelve poems, two essays and three articles, not forgetting the book of proverbs which I read up to chapter twenty four.
I derived maximum benefit from this challenge and I encourage mental tasks like this often.
Emmanuel Faith
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Thank you very much, Emmanuel.
Did you join in the 21-day Improvement Challenge? How did it help you? Please send your stories to: [email protected] Looking forward to hearing from you.
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Lessons Learnt From The Improvement Challenge- Day 21
Some weeks ago, the idea of having a challenge for twenty-one days that would help me improve in certain vital areas of my life crossed my mind. It sounded like a much better idea when I thought of the fact that I could also involve other people who needed to improve themselves also. So, after much deliberation, I embarked on #TIC21 which stands for The Improvement Challenge of 21 days. Today is Day 21 of #TIC21 and I am happy, thankful and fulfilled that I made it to the end. I would be sharing with you how The Improvement Challenge has helped me.
“It always seems impossible until it’s done”- Nelson Mandela
Yes, that’s the first lesson I learnt. Nothing will be possible, or seem possible, until somebody actually does it. About to start the challenge, I had a whole lot of reservations and questions. It was my first project of its kind and I didn’t know how to start. I didn’t know what people would think and if they would want to join in the Challenge. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to make it till the twenty-first day. I feared that I would start and not be able to finish. Man, I had so much worries! However, I decided that I was going to do it whether it seemed possible or not, whether people joined in or not. I just did it. I knew that even if I failed at it, I would have learnt a lesson or two from it. I also knew that I had nothing to lose if I started it. The success of #TIC21 has made me see that I could do whatever I set out to do. It has inspired me to dream of bigger challenges. It has taught me better ways of doing stuff like this. I am the only limitation that I have. People aren’t my limitation. Money isn’t. I am my own limitation.
How #TIC21 helped me.
I am of the belief that everybody must work hard to improve themselves. Being contented with who you are and where you are is a sign of mediocrity. You might be doing so well at a particular thing but the truly successful people never get satisfied with wherever they are. There is ALWAYS a need to improve. #TIC21 made me constantly remember the need for improvement. There were times when I was tired but I knew I had to keep improving myself. I built the habit of writing, reading everyday and now that I am through with the challenge, I see no reason why I should stop writing everyday or why I should stop reading everyday. I know I am a better writer than I was twenty-one days ago. Albeit I am not where I want to be, I see this as a good start for me.
#TIC21 taught me commitment, not just commitment to improvement, but commitment to people. I knew I couldn’t stop halfway because there were people always asking how the Improvement Challenge was going. There were people who wanted to see me end well and so I just couldn’t stop till I got to the end.
GRATITUDE
I am grateful to everybody who saw the possibility of this when I was not even sure about it; Tolulope Ahmed, Abraham Ologundudu, Samuel Akinlotan, Adebayo Michael Em.A, and those that space will not permit me to mention- Thank you so much. Also, Thanks to those who kept sending in their encouragement messages. To a very wonderful set of people I can not but acknowledge, those who joined in the Challenge. Thank you for seeing this as a worthy cause to join in. Thank you for working everyday to be better. Thank you for making this journey worthwhile. Keep growing. Keep improving. You are your only limitation.
And that’s it, folks! #TIC21 has come to an end. Watch this space for further challenges. *winks*
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#teamOAU Why You Should Be Grateful For The NASU Strike
I could give you reasons why we really shouldn’t be happy about the NASU strike but that would only be me reopening closed wounds (or, almost closed wounds). I know you hate to have to go home as a result of a struggle that has nothing to do with you. I do, too, but then I have just learnt to see the bright side of things even in the darkest of days. I mean, there is always a silver lining in every cloud. So, amidst a thousand reasons to be sad and disappointed about the issue of the school closure, let’s find a reason to be happy about it.
You know, what if this is an opportunity for you to develop yourself regarding the activities that really matter to you? What if this break is an avenue for you to grow, to improve? The reason a lot of students give for not improving at what they would like to improve at is lack of sufficient time due to the need to study hard, attend classes, group discussions et al. And of course, that is so understandable. But now, there are no classes to attend, no group discussions, no notes to write. This is the best time for you to learn that skill, read that book, take that course, and whatever else it is that you would love to do. I have learnt from bitter experience that you don’t expect OAU to resume one week after a strike or even, a legitimate holiday. They would most likely spend a month or two or even three! Don’t sleep away and be patiently waiting for OAU to resume whilst doing nothing worthwhile with your life.
I have a suggestion for you as you start your break; PLAN! Really, plan! Most of us are home now without knowing the next step to take. For a lot, this break will not be wasted not because you don’t want to make optimum use of it but because you have no definite plan for it. Don’t tell me you want to improve at this and that. Show me HOW! Set goals! Show me how you want to achieve these goals. Write your plan down so it is possible for you to follow up with it. If you want to work, for instance, write the type of work you would like to do, how long you would like to work there. If you want to learn a skill, write down the skill, how do you want to learn it? Who do you want to teach you? If you want to read books, what type of books do you want to read? For how long do you want to read a book? What do you want to have achieved after reading each book? Our problems can be solved by asking the right questions and by planning to solve them.
I hope this has helped you. Any questions? Or is there any way I could help you achieve your goals this break? Please feel free to mail me at [email protected]
Today is Day 13 of the Improvement Challenge. The Improvement Challenge (#TIC21) is an initiative aimed at helping people improve at things that they do and would like to improve at. Learn more about the Improvement Challenge HERE. You could also view previous posts:
The Improvement Challenge – Day 2
On Leadership : The Improvement Challenge – Day 3
Isn’t Wanting to be Perfect a Waste of Time? #TIC21 Day 5
The Improvement Challenge – Day 7
Thank you for reading. Please share your thoughts as they are very valuable to me. Thanks!
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On Leadership: The Improvement Challenge- Day 3
Welcome to The Improvement Challenge, Day 3! It has been a purposeful ride all through. I appreciate all those who have committed to this challenge with me too. I am positive that it is going to be worth it! If you have no idea what the Improvement Challenge is, read it up here
My Day 2 of #TIC21 was fulfilling. I did everything I was supposed to do; studied my Bible, wrote something and I started reading the book I intended to read. For my 21 days Improvement Challenge, I’m reading John C. Maxwell‘s “5 Levels of Leadership”. Although I started reading it some weeks back, I felt the need to start reading all over again. So, I would be telling you one or two things I learnt from this book yesterday. For those who have read John C. Maxwell’s “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership”, this might look familiar.
P.S: I am not doing a book review. If you want to know all that is in the book, gaan buy it *tongue out*
The first lesson I learnt from this book is that making a positive impact in your world is dependent on your ability to lead. Contrary to popular belief, Leadership is not being in position. If you think leadership is position, how then will you lead effectively if you do not occupy a position? The only way to enforce that change that you so much desire in your country and in your immediate environment is by learning to be a better leader. And this, of course, requires intentional efforts. Read books, listen to messages, find ways to learn how to lead without being in a position. And if you would like to learn Leadership, the Improvement Challenge of 21 days might just be exactly what you need. *wink*
Thank you for reading. Have a purposeful week ahead!
Orifunke Lawal
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The Improvement Challenge- Day 2 #TIC21
Yessss! It’s the second day of The Improvement Challenge! Are you excited? The Improvement Challenge began yesterday and it is a project aimed at helping people improve at things that they do and would like to improve at. I have been surprised at the number of people who have showed interest in the Challenge and I celebrate you all.
My Day One of #TIC21 was good. I wrote an article that I would publish later on. Since my goal is to be a better writer, I have resolved to write something everyday for twenty-one days. For those who started the Challenge yesterday? How was it? What did you do? What did you learn? Could you tell us your story? Please, we’re looking forward to it.
Still yet to join the Improvement Challenge? You’re quite on time! How to join?
1. Write out a particular thing or list out a set of things that you really want to improve at. For me, one of them is my writing and so, I would be writing everyday for the next 21 days. I would advise that you have a small number of things to improve at so you can focus and measure your growth/improvement. Too many of them might make you “burdened” along the line.
2. At the end of each day, please share your story for the day to encourage all others who are also in the challenge with us. If you please, you could send me your story to share with others.
If you have any questions and comments, and if there is any help I could render to you with regard to this challenge, please feel free to message me personally. Thank you!
Orifunke Lawal
@Orifunke
Orifunke Lawal