SUCCESS FROM ANY BACKGROUND
Previously I discussed why some people don’t progress in life, focusing on different forms of inertia. This morning, I made a video on why some people do not progress and how to break confusional inertia. In earlier videos, I spoke about environmental inertia, using the example of why Nigerian athletes and academics often excel overseas. I explained how a child living in Lagos is more likely to break barriers and progress due to the incubative power of the Lagos environment compared to a child from a less stimulating environment like Igboho. However, there are people who come from places with less strong incubative capacities but still manage to develop themselves and excel in life.
I read the story of Jimoh Ibrahim, who has done exceptionally well despite the circumstances around him. He is a successful man considering where he comes from. I grew up in the slums, then attended Government College, as many of you know. I was educated in Nigeria and have spent most of my life here, although I have traveled.
So, how do you become a global citizen? How do you become successful from a ghetto background? First, if you plant a banana and a plantain in the same soil, the banana will extract nutrients from the soil just like the plantain, but the fruits will taste different. In this compound, we have coconut, mango, avocado, orange, and bitter leaf plants. Each of these plants extracts water and nutrients from the soil, but their tastes differ due to their internal constitution. The Bible says, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. The principle of what you absorb from your environment is crucial. I can be in an environment, but selectively absorb only what will help me achieve my inner desires and dreams. I can be with you, but not with you; I can be in a crowd but not of the crowd. You must selectively absorb what will help you become who you want to be.
Another important principle, not necessarily in chronological or sequential order, is the Abrahamic principle of lifting up your eyes. As far as your eyes can see, you can achieve. You might be in the ghetto or a village, but if you lift up your eyes beyond where you are and envision who you want to become, it will determine the ingredients you absorb from your environment. When I was in the slums, I read works by Dennis Waitley, Harold Robbins, James Hadley Chase, Tolstoy, and magazines like Newsweek and Time. I even studied the Guinness Book of Records and geography, learning the capitals of countries. My mind was above my environment and circumstances. My dreams extended beyond my immediate vicinity.
In every activity I engage in, I am not defined by that activity. My contribution to it is determined by the level I aspire to reach. By doing so, I break the limitations of my environment and go beyond it. I live in this town, but I came here with different desires, a different purpose, and higher aspirations. Although I was schooled in Nigeria, I knew what I wanted out of life and the ingredients I needed to add to my life. This is the key to breaking the glass ceiling of your environment. You must incubate yourself within yourself, drawing new trends, opportunities, and positive relationships from your environment. This is how you break environmental inertia. It’s like mountain climbing; you set an anchor and start climbing toward that height. The rope and your climbing represent your efforts.
I set targets, standards, and visions far beyond my environment and those around me. I see myself far ahead and work towards that vision. By doing so, I break the limitations of environmental inertia. I see beyond the dirty, toxic people around me, beyond those who consume and misbehave. I look far ahead, which has helped me overcome environmental inertia.
Wherever you are—Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, or even the United States—extract nutrients from the environment, but don’t let the environment absorb you. If you do, you’ll get lost. The only way to become outstanding is to take what you need from the environment and remain distinct from it.
I remain your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki.
