I want to share an important lesson about time, opportunities, and the cultural attitudes that often hold us back. This story is about a pastor friend of mine who lost a life-changing opportunity in South Korea because of poor time management.
The Missed Opportunity
My pastor friend attended a conference in South Korea while facing significant financial challenges. During the event, he met a South Korean man who told him, “God revealed that I would meet a Nigerian pastor to support in business.” The man offered to give my pastor goods on credit to sell back in Nigeria, with the promise of payment after sales.
They agreed to meet the next morning at 7:30 a.m. to visit the man’s factory and finalize the arrangement. However, when the South Korean arrived on time, my pastor was still in his towel, unprepared. Disappointed, the man said, “You’re not serious,” and withdrew the offer. My pastor lost what could have been a lifetime opportunity because he failed to value time.
Time is Life
Opportunities come to everyone, but only those prepared to seize them succeed. Time is a resource that, once lost, cannot be recovered. In developed countries like Japan, punctuality and respect for time are crucial. Arriving late is seen as disrespectful and untrustworthy.
Dr. Cosmos Maduka, a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur, shared how the Japanese value integrity. If you promise to pay at the end of the month, you must fulfill that promise no matter the circumstances. This level of discipline is tied to their respect for time and commitments.
Professor John Mbiti once observed that many Africans struggle with managing time effectively. This lack of time consciousness hinders progress, both individually and collectively.
Breaking the Cycle of “Colored People’s Time”
Even in diaspora communities, there’s something called “Colored People’s Time” (CPT), where lateness is normalized. Meetings are delayed to accommodate latecomers, and punctual people are often left frustrated. This mentality must change if we are to thrive globally.
Time is the ultimate measure of productivity. Nations that prioritize time pay their citizens per hour, emphasizing the value of every second. In contrast, many African systems lack this structure, leading to inefficiency and stagnation.
Lessons and Personal Growth
I learned the value of time from my early days as a Sunday school teacher under Bishop Bassim. He was always punctual, and I had to arrive even earlier to prepare. That discipline transformed my approach to life and contributed to my success.
Can we dare to be different this year? Can we prioritize punctuality and eliminate the culture of waiting for latecomers? Let us align ourselves with the habits of successful people and nations by respecting time.
Final Thoughts
Remember, you can recover lost money, but lost time is gone forever. Let us be intentional about managing time, keeping to promises, and respecting commitments.
I want to share an important lesson about time, opportunities, and the cultural attitudes that often hold us back. This story is about a pastor friend of mine who lost a life-changing opportunity in South Korea because of poor time management.
The Missed Opportunity
My pastor friend attended a conference in South Korea while facing significant financial challenges. During the event, he met a South Korean man who told him, “God revealed that I would meet a Nigerian pastor to support in business.” The man offered to give my pastor goods on credit to sell back in Nigeria, with the promise of payment after sales.
They agreed to meet the next morning at 7:30 a.m. to visit the man’s factory and finalize the arrangement. However, when the South Korean arrived on time, my pastor was still in his towel, unprepared. Disappointed, the man said, “You’re not serious,” and withdrew the offer. My pastor lost what could have been a lifetime opportunity because he failed to value time.
Time is Life
Opportunities come to everyone, but only those prepared to seize them succeed. Time is a resource that, once lost, cannot be recovered. In developed countries like Japan, punctuality and respect for time are crucial. Arriving late is seen as disrespectful and untrustworthy.
Dr. Cosmos Maduka, a prominent Nigerian entrepreneur, shared how the Japanese value integrity. If you promise to pay at the end of the month, you must fulfill that promise no matter the circumstances. This level of discipline is tied to their respect for time and commitments.
Professor John Mbiti once observed that many Africans struggle with managing time effectively. This lack of time consciousness hinders progress, both individually and collectively.
Breaking the Cycle of “Colored People’s Time”
Even in diaspora communities, there’s something called “Colored People’s Time” (CPT), where lateness is normalized. Meetings are delayed to accommodate latecomers, and punctual people are often left frustrated. This mentality must change if we are to thrive globally.
Time is the ultimate measure of productivity. Nations that prioritize time pay their citizens per hour, emphasizing the value of every second. In contrast, many African systems lack this structure, leading to inefficiency and stagnation.
Lessons and Personal Growth
I learned the value of time from my early days as a Sunday school teacher under Bishop Bassim. He was always punctual, and I had to arrive even earlier to prepare. That discipline transformed my approach to life and contributed to my success.
Can we dare to be different this year? Can we prioritize punctuality and eliminate the culture of waiting for latecomers? Let us align ourselves with the habits of successful people and nations by respecting time.
Final Thoughts
Remember, you can recover lost money, but lost time is gone forever. Let us be intentional about managing time, keeping to promises, and respecting commitments.
Additionally, I have properties for sale. For inquiries, contact us.
God bless you.
Dr. Charles Apoki
