By Anote Ajeluorou
Bookshelves are replete with books on how to be successful
in life’s endeavours, which enjoy huge patronage. An economy in dire need of
revival with harsh business environment, runaway unemployment and inflation, like
Nigeria’s easily fuels demand for such books, as elixirs for forging ahead and
be above the pack. While some are pragmatic and can be applicable in real life
situations, others are plain starry-eyed and have no life outside the pages of
the books that contain them.
But Victoria Praise
Abraham’s 12 Golden Laws of Success (Holyseed
Publishing, Lagos; 2013) takes a distinctively different path and approach in
dealing with common principles that are familiar to avid readers of
how-to-be-successful books. Abraham’s approach catalogues 12 rules or
principles that are common enough – Purpose, Prayer, Preparation and Planning,
Pursuit, Possibilities, Positioning, Product, People, Patience, Persistence,
Peace and Praise – and turns them into workable tools for those willing to
pursue success with persistence.
She not only defines
and exhorts readers as to what to do with these principles and how they can
apply to their own life situations, she provides ready and real life models in
whose lives these principles appear manifest. This is perhaps where 12 Golden Laws of Success is shoulders
above the pack among book how-to books. Abraham brings in real life people,
Nigerians, who have succeeded through walking through life’s thorny roads armed
with one or more of these principles and came tops in their chosen careers or
professions.
This is Abraham’s
masterstroke, her ability to bring real models, successes in their chosen
fields and juxtapose them with each of these principles. She makes them speak
to these principles in realistic manner that leaves the reader satisfied in
that they’d passed through the same or similar roads and that he or she has
company in current endeavor. This is uncommon facility and Abraham deserves
praise for the seamless melding of principles and persons who had if
unconsciously applied them to their own situations and come up tops.
Also, Abraham also
peppers his manual with Godly purpose or precepts to light the way for her
readers. In other words, mere discovery of these principles and application of
them should necessarily be anchored on a measure of godliness so they could be
realized in one’s life.
For instance, in
Purpose, the author says, “Life requires that we all discover and fulfill
purpose. It is common knowledge that most people rarely discover purpose either
out of ignorance or just sheer laziness, and those who do sometimes never
fulfill it. I find this very sad because without the discovery and fulfillment
of purpose one cannot maximize one’s life and manifest one’s glory”.
To hit home this
point, she brings in advertising guru, Mr. ‘Lolu Akinwunmi, who says, “God
showed me my path early in life; it helped me to do things according to God’s
ways because I believe Him and His word. This is obedience, and when we obey
Him. He rewards us, and my life and business have enjoyed the great rewards of
obedience”.
In Prayer, Abraham
doesn’t seek out a pastor or General Overseer or their wives, as models.
Instead, she seeks out an analytical and strategic mind in Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje,
who confesses, “I was born in a Christian home and grew up understanding that
God is the source of all success. I subsequently decided on our Lord Jesus as
my Lord and Saviour since 1990 and rededicated my life to Christ around
2002-2003. I understand spiritual things more deeply, and have realized the practical
importance of fasting, vigil and prayer to the life of a victorious Christian”.
So, with each
principle, Abraham brings a motivator to speak to it and through it to her
readers. The aim is so her readers can fit themselves and their situations to
these models and learn and be wise. A great educationist, Mrs. Folashade
Philips speaks to Preparation and Planning; her story is truly inspiring and
engaging! In Pursuit, she brings on Managing Director of Terra Kulture, Mrs.
Bolanle Austin-Peters, a woman who has inspired innovations in art and culture
management and philanthropy. And so till the last principle, Praise, when she
brings Mr. Wole Oni, music producer and entrepreneur.
Some sloppy writing
or poor editing and even page omission mare the overall book package. Perhaps,
another edition would do well to redress these observed flaws.
However, Abraham’s 12 Golden Laws of Success is an
innovative rendering of well-worn success clichés. Her personal touch in
following a different path makes her book a success all its own. Readers will
find it enriching and elevating.
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