The Emrys Ijaola Commentaries

My little experience in life has taught me that you may not agree with me on some of the points I will raise. No problem. The world thrives on diversity. However, I know a few things we may all agree on:

We all want more money? I beg to disagree! You do not want more money (except you are insane!), you only want more things money can get you (possessions, power, respect).

We all want to own and run our companies, and not worry about the drudgery of 8-to-6 existence? Pure lie! Human nature dictates that we would rather be free of work, and laze around. This is totally contrary to the tenets of self-employment. In fact, when you do your own business, you will work more than you do for others, if you must make it. At your paid employment, you are only a sales person, marketer, service provider, or whatever your boss wants you to be. At your own business, you will be CEO, COO, CFO, chief strategist, marketer, sales man, head of HR, all rolled into one. The more prosperous your business gets, the more you can pay others to take those tasks off you, but you still have the responsibility of ensuring they deliver on job standards and targets. Otherwise, your business will crumble.

We all want to retire rich, and not have to work again? Wrong again! Studies in different parts of the world show that most retirees, who have put in over 20 years of service, die earlier due to boredom and redundancy. Look around you. Most active retirees are always looking for something new to occupy themselves. Mind and body conditioned over years to work will not easily accept a different situation.

I could go on about the beliefs and mind-sets we have clung unto for years, but I am sure you already get the message – We chase after the wind because we do not look beyond accepted ideas of our expectations. We need to re-appraise what we thought we already know. We were not always like this. In the beginning we grew up learning to grab only the significant things in life. As the weathers of life pummel us, we tend to look at how others survive, and instinctively do the same. In the beginning, we wanted food, shelter, care and toys. This has not changed. The houses, clothes, cars, gadgets are only the adult version of our earlier wants. Money was not the child’s goal, thus a toddler given a Thousand Naira note would throw it away, but grab at food and toys – the important stuff.

I advocate a change of our thought patterns. Only then can we change our mode of operation. Do you need a change? No, if you are okay the way you are, or you have discovered the means to satisfy all your needs and wants, or you have already given up on your dreams, and absolutely nobody can talk you into trying again.

Let us start then from the basic lessons:

• You do not need money, only the things money can buy. Thus, always ask: can I get this item in a different way other than buying it? Can I strike a bargain in kind for something I want, like barter? This will help you not to kill yourself looking for the means to solve your problem when you can channel energy to solving the problem straightaway.
• If your motivation for setting up a business/company is so you can be more relaxed and be your own boss, rather than earn a living while doing what you have a passion for, and growing wealth on your own terms, you have already missed the point. Your business will only be good and profitable to the extent of energy, ideas and commitment you put in. Be sure your motivation to quit your paid job is not just because you cannot stand your boss’s breath, or you want your alarm clock to set off at 8 a.m. instead of 5 a.m. Building a successful business takes sweat, grit, perseverance and sometimes tears. Do not rock the boat mid-stream if you cannot swim.
• If you are still fooled by the allure of pensionable old age, wake up. Our parents fell for it, and see how they can barely leave us a tangible inheritance! Every serious, self-respecting business man knows that when money is stagnant it loses value. There is no age too late to do something new. You cannot get too old till you are dead.

In the beginning we all felt sure we could make a success of our lives. Whatever eroded that confidence? People and failed attempts? Reality of lack and need unmet? Uncertainty and fear of the unknown? Abraham Lincoln failed every election in his life (including class captainship), but won the only one that mattered most – President of America. Voyagers, sea-farers and explorers of old ventured into the unknown, despite the “wise” men of their times claiming the world was flat, and a ship would drop off once it reached the edge. The best inventions were created by people too “stupid” to realise some things were impossible to do. With every failure, you have to choose if you have learnt one more way not to do something, or you were nuts for trying at all.