Why Some People Miss Out in the Midst of Opportunities

I want to talk about why some people miss out on opportunities, even when they are surrounded by them. You might think I’m here in Europe for a holiday, but I actually came here to work. The holiday part is just secondary. My goal is to elevate my YouTube channel by traveling, documenting, and discussing important issues like social matters, business, marriage, and national topics. It’s not just for fun—I want to leave a legacy and create history.

When people watch my videos, they often react without analyzing or internalizing what they see. They just respond from their emotions, which are usually a reflection of their own state of mind. I recently saw someone scavenging at a dumpsite near my apartment, and it made me think. Even in a country with abundant opportunities and free schooling, someone is still digging through trash. This person wasn’t part of the marginalized Roma ethnic group that faces discrimination. He was an indigenous European. So what could have gone wrong?.

I believe there are key stages in life. If you don’t do what you’re supposed to at each stage, you’ll miss out on future opportunities. The Bible says, “Bear the yoke while you are young.” If you don’t take schooling seriously when you should, or if you don’t acquire skills, you’ll pay the price later in life. Life has different phases—schooling, skill acquisition, and then seriousness. If you lack seriousness in your studies or skill-building, your future will suffer. Sustainability is also key. What you’re doing now, is it sustainable? Is it something that can last and support you in the long run?

Let me give an example: I saw a girl on YouTube shaking her breasts for attention. But those breasts have an expiry date. Will that be sustainable in the future? What happens when they no longer attract attention? Can you still rely on that for a living? The same goes for those in school who focus more on relationships than their studies. Is that sustainable?

In Nigeria, we have an overflow of prophets, partly because people have stopped planning their lives according to God’s word, principles, and practices. When people align themselves with God’s teachings, they don’t need constant prophecies. A solid plan, based on biblical principles, becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. This is why I always emphasize planning. You don’t need someone to prophesy success over your life if you already have a plan and are working towards it.

What I’m experiencing now didn’t just happen by luck. Yes, I had favor, but I acted on it. I didn’t spend my money frivolously; I invested in my family and built a financial base with my wife. We didn’t live luxuriously when we were younger—we lived intentionally and labored to put our children in the right positions. That’s how I can live this life now, earning money both in Nigeria and in Europe.

The same applies to you. If you don’t plan, don’t follow principles, and don’t pray for your future, you’ll struggle later in life. Many people who miss out on opportunities later regret not taking life seriously when they had the chance.

Sustainability is about achieving present goals without compromising future ones. If you spend your youth pursuing short-term pleasures like going viral on social media, without thinking about the long term, you’ll find yourself in trouble down the road. Cheap products are popular, but they’re not durable. It’s the same with life choices. If you’re only focused on instant gratification, you’re compromising your future stability.

When you engage in activities like shaking your breasts for views, you may gain short-term attention, but what about the long-term consequences? Will it help you build a stable family or a strong reputation? Think about how your choices today impact your future and even the future of your children.

That’s why sustainability matters. It’s not just about continuing what you’re doing—it’s about ensuring that your current actions don’t hinder your future goals or the goals of future generations.

I encourage you to start planning for your life now. Make projections for where you want to be at each stage. I stopped medical practice at 40 because I didn’t want to be dealing with the stress of surgeries and patients in old age. It was a deliberate choice, based on a lifestyle I desired. You need to be intentional about your life too.

Remember, sustainability is not about quick fame or short-term gains. It’s about creating a foundation that will support you in the long run. Shake your brains, not just your breasts, and build something that will last.

I have an online webinar coming up on the 8th and 9th of November, titled Becoming a Person of Influence. If you want to make a positive impact, you need more than short-term trends. You need a sustainable strategy. To register, send a message to +234 802 121 9262 before the end of October, as registration fees will increase afterward.

I remain your friend, Dr. Charles Apoki, and I look forward to seeing you at the webinar. God bless you