SACRIFICE: A CLARION CALL!

How much pain are we ready to endure for our happiness? We can endure the worst pain when we're doing what we love. 

At age 12, I loved playing football. The camaraderie with my friends, the ecstasy of scoring a goal, and the adrenaline pumping after the game gave me a lift that far surpassed any illness.

When asked, "What do you want in life?" most people may answer, "I want to be happy," "I want to make money," "I want to be famous," or "I want to have a big house." So maybe the better question to ask is this: what sacrifices are we willing to make and endure, to achieve our happiness? 

Over the years, I have found that there is something fulfilling, and even strangely euphoric, about reaping what we sow.

Look at parenting, for instance. We wake up earlier than usual (not always voluntarily) to be with the kids; we drive them to church, school, sports games, and we care about their well-being. We accept this form of sacrifice not only because we love them, but also because there is meaning to our sacrifice. 

In this world, everything is about balance. You get from life what you put in. So if you don’t like what you’re getting, change what you’re giving.

Today is the day of new leafs, the day of second chances and opportunities to reinvent ourselves. In order for this day to be of value, we must be prepared to sacrifice a lot in chasing what we love.

My name is Kofi Anokye, and I believe in you.

HAPPY NEW MONTH OF FEBRUARY!

GREATER HEIGHTS? YES, IT’S POSSIBLE!

Yesterday, during my research, I came across an article, and I knew I simply had to tell you about it.

Humans are capable of amazing feats under pressure. There is a popular quote that “people are resilient and resourceful when the heat is on”.

But why must we always wait until there’s pressure before we put up our best? If we are capable, why don’t we show our capability every time? Why wait until our backs are against the wall before we reveal our brilliance?

When we are about to have visitors, we clean up our homes. Why not keep them clean all the time? When exams are near, we stay up all night and try to memorise loads of material. Why not just study everyday so there’s no need to cram at the end? 

We are capable of so much, yet we hold back our best until we are forced to give it. Are we not living life backwards when we do that? You see, the pursuit of excellence requires us to be the best versions of ourselves every single day. Not only when someone is watching, not only when there’s a reward, not only when there’s competition, not only when there’s a deadline, not only in an emergency, but every single hour of every single day. What’s the point of holding some back?

My dear, every day, you should put on your best clothes, give out your best ideas, put in your best work and have the best time doing it. Don’t cheat yourself out of success by bringing anything less than your absolute A-Game every day, starting with today.

My name is Kofi Anokye. From today, let’s all be extraordinary.

SMALL OR BIG? IT’S UP TO YOU

One of my favourite things to do with my time is to read and watch documentaries and I have had loads of role models through this exercise.

I always feel the more I stay connected to them and their stories, the more I can understand the secrets to their success. So I read and watch documentaries about them, and try to apply their philosophies to my own life.

Today, I would like to share with you a prolific lesson I learnt some years ago.

I read about the legendary basketball coach - John Wooden, and came across his interview with Newsweek. He said “I think it’s the little things that really count. The first thing I would show our players at our first meeting was how to take a little extra time for them to put on their shoes and socks properly”.

He went on to describe that though putting on socks and shoes correctly and meticulously was a small act, it both prevented many injuries on the hard basketball floor and taught players the discipline and power of doing things correctly, small or big.

Lesson: How we do anything is how we do everything. A little progress each day adds up to big results.

My name is Kofi Anokye, and I believe in you.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!