We all can succeed in life provided we begin to take stady and stealthily steps towards it. There are sequential steps to take, not over dreaming, if we must succeed

Everyday we are bombarded by the more than common words, “Knowledge is power.” I have heard it so many times from the man on the street and the woman next door. Respected men and women of God say it all the time, yet I see many who have received that piece of information, advice, instruction or open revelation still running from pillar to post in search of the elusive success. James Madison even went further to say that… A people that want to govern themselves must arm themselves with the power that knowledge gives. Why is it that there is so much information via the internet, now too many pirated books and arm chair analysts that litter our universities, businesses, bus stops, canteens and yes, our Churches but the level of frustration albeit poverty is still on the increase?
Everyday, as the sun rises the number of fools, ignorant and lackadaisical increases. The slothful replicate themselves through the huge, regular time and energy wasting arguments that inundate the discussion menu-cards in the society today. I am yet to see (I may be wrong) clusters of people in bus stops or in other populated gatherings have practical suggestions on the way forward with agendas and assignment of action points for the participants to take home and carry out before the next meeting. What I’m doing now is a “Mastermind Grouping” where people from different backgrounds of business, law, nursing, carpentry, oil services and others come together, brainstorming to assist themselves on the way forward rather than engaging in tasking and fruitless discourses where analytical or “critical critiques” and appraisal are made. Usually, they are never recorded or documented for forgetful people to refer to it. They just roll off with stout conclusions that the leadership or government of the country is insensitive, cold and visionless.
We see a brand new generation been led to the slaughter by a rising feeling of anger of perceived marginalization, abandonment, callousness and what have you from everyone but themselves. It is time for all of us to be serious and begin to identify what our real challenges are and begin to address them slowly, not magically overnight. I have heard it for the umpteenth time by thousands that, “Money is my problem; I need capital.” Truly, this can only be true for a few people. Many people are just fantasy dreamers. They have misread and misunderstood the process of success. Would you doubt me if I say that there are many businesses or projects today that started well but have either collapse or are on the brink of decay, not because of government policy or intervention but because of bad management. Many CEOs are CREDIT EXPENDITURE OFFICERS or CASH EXPENSES OFFICERS or CARELESS EXECUTIVE OFFICERS. What’s in a name? Instead of establishing a business core values, they are more concerned with the self gratifying feeling from giving out their complimentary cards…CEO. I am yet to see a CEO that says, “It was my fault.” They would rather blame the economy. But you something; they have at least tried. They can get up if they admit their shortcomings or if they can identify it and move forward positively and tactfully. The ones, who have not even tried, already have a dossier of their challenges and believe that just more of capital will meet the challenges. A young man whose father died was asked by his late father friend to see him in his office. On getting there, his late father’s friend asked him what he wanted to do with his life and how much he needed. Guess what? He could not say talk less of how much he needed. A few days later, he went back and told his late father’s friend that he wanted to sell designer clothing’s that is, run a boutique. When asked about the sources of clothing, expected profit margins, estimated rents, target markets, capital etc he required, he could not say nor did not even have it written down but just blurted, N200,000.00. The late father’s friend was so disappointed because this young man was not serious and had no apparent vision for his life. Imagine! Just N200, 000.00? How much where the rents estimated for a shop talk less of the stock of goods? Many today are like that. No vision for their lives but wants to be a type of Bill Gates. It is my prayer that as you read these words, they would flow from your eyes into your mind and into your heart inspiring you into action. The actions you need to take are the simple steps which I have been through and are working towards my fulfillment in life.
ACTION STEPS
• INDENTIFY YOUR DIRECTION IN LIFE.
Don’t become an optometrist because your parents insist. It may work out, it may not. Are you a security man because that all you could get in this hard economy? Is your direction one that God has destined for you (unless you don’t know how to hear from God)? If you chose to do a business or trade, is it one that you like or one that was chose for you? Search yourself, you know what God has put in you or is it that you just want to work and be a life long employee because you are afraid to take the bull by the horn? What will happen, if you loose that job or say become and invalid by reason of an accident? God forbid, but it happens. Identify your direction (dream or vision) and then follow the next step
• ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE.
Successful people, apart from discorvering the price to be paid, search for and retain knowledge that would make them good and better than their colleagues. They are thinkers, thinking and praying out solutions to challenges of mankind. They want and desire to be successful at what they do, so they attend lectures, seminars, read books and practice the action points, have mentors and relate with progressive thinking people, avoiding dream killers. They always follow up any link of information, taking notes, writing down and going over it again and again. They have plans, goals and targets and follow them up tenaciously, not giving up at all. They are not shy to ask for information (have teachable spirits) and grab information with the speed of lightening.
• HAVE GOOD NETWORKS.
God is the greatest connection that one needs. However, God operates often times through the conduit of humans. If you are one who is a visionary, serious minded and are progressing in your career, your fame would spread. If you are one who knows his or her onions in that business or project, you will get investors, why? Every one likes success and wants to be a part of it. If you have a gift or quality to deliver, people will support you. Your gift will take you places. The issue is that may people are like Jehu in 2 Kings 19:1-3 who had been sitting with his fellow soldiers drinking as if they didn’t have anything to do. Elisha knew that if he was not prompted, he Jehu would truncate his God given destiny through self destruction. God had ordained you to be great, the salt of the earth to do exploits but because you are sitting and complaining with many others who you shouldn’t be found or seen sitting with. Your destiny is been traded or rather bantered away for the kicks and perks or argument, discussion or critical critiques, analysis at bus stops, beer parlours and sadly enough in Churches. Rather than engage in fruitless fraternities, join business and ministry fellowships that foster learning and acquisition of skill and tools such as the international Christian Chamber of Commerce, Fate Foundation-Fate Business Alumni, Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship, Rotary or Lions Club etc that can help change the cause of your life and struggles a take you to the next level. If you are a sincere God fearing child of God, he will instruct His children that he has given wealth to execute his plans for your success.
• BE PRAYERFUL.
No just prayerful as if your’e praying for the food you are about to eat, but this obviously means handing everything inclusive of the steps to God. I’m not saying that you should pray in you closet and then proceed to sleeping well and for long hours. You know what Proverbs 6:10-11 says; Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come…I mean that you must have a relationship with the Holy Spirit. He will guide and help you to study the Word of God, meditate and have a sweet quiet time. The Holy Spirit will order your footsteps all the time and begin to reveal secrets (which only God knows) to you.

It is my strong opinion that these steps are not exhaustive but complimentary. Success is not obtained in one day but can be lost in one day, after the long suffering to acquire it, so you must make God the Chairman and major shareholder of all your activities so that you do not loose your vision and get devoured.