CHAPTER TWO

OWN YOUR NARRATIVE!

Your journey is unique and peculiar to you, and when you realize how
unique we all are, you will stop comparing yourself to people. So many
people say comparison is a killer of joy, but I think it is also a stealer of time.
There are so many things you could have achieved within the space of the
time you use spent in comparing yourself. One of the things I have realized
about storytelling is how unique every character is, and there are someis.
Some characters that can never replace the role of another,another because
that role fits so well.
See life as a story and you areyourself as just another unique character in it,
and whatit. What you do, how you play your role role, is going to change the
trajectory of your life. So, as your twenty-something friend, I implore you to
you: STOP COMPARING. Someone else’s time is not yours. Keep clapping
for people until it get gets to your turn.
One of the hacks to achieving something big in your life is to only compare
yourself with your past. Are you growing? Who were you yesterday and who
are you today? What has changed? It is only when you compare yourself
with your past that you truly own your narrative and stay true to your
unique journey.
Living by design makes you discover your unique journey. It directs your
course and lane, and it helps you to stay true to God’s purpose for your life.
Within your circle of friends and team, when you have people who seem
more excellent, better, and areor more intelligent than you, take a seat and
learn from them, regardless of your position. The twenties season is for
learning from people, from your journey journey, and understanding that
even if you are not there yet, you are on that path. There is always
something you do not know know, and access to information can change
your life,life beyond how you think it can. So, when you have access to and
are privy to information, hold it dear to your heart, regardless of who the
information is coming from.
And when you have access to quality information that can change someone
else’s life, don’t hoard or keep it. There is no gatekeeping gatekeeping,
because there is space for everyone to fly. When you share it with people, it
does not take the knowledge away from you or the blessing tied to the that
information. It makes you agree within yourself that you are in a state of
abundance abundance, and quality information and access will always flow
to, within within, and through you.
One of my friends, who is also in his twenties, won a very big scholarship
recently and he was sharing the process of the scholarship with me after he
was awarded the scholarship. The scholarship is the biggest scholarship in
the concrete industry. He did the virtual interview at my office early this
year and his friend, whom he shared the information with, also got qualified
to the stage of being interview for the same scholarship. During his
interview, he noticed his friend was in the waiting room, popping up
intermittently, also waiting to be interviewed. One of my friends, who is also
in his twenties, recently won one of the most prestigious fellowships in the
concrete industry. The process was intense. It began with a written essay,
and only a select number of applicants were shortlisted for interviews. As it
turned out, Meshach and one of his close friends were both shortlisted for
the same category. They were now direct contenders for the same spot.
The hallmark of this story is that my friend won the scholarship with paid
expenses to travel for a conference in Canada. His friend also got qualified
among the top 3 and was also given an award of excellence. This taught me
a very big lesson on information and relationships. The sky is large and
there is space for everyone to [Link] stood out to me was how my friend
handled that moment. He had taken time to speak with past awardees,
asked intentional questions, and gathered valuable insights about the
interview process. Instead of holding that information tightly, he shared
everything he had with his friend. He did not filter it or keep the best parts
to himself. He simply forwarded it as it was, trusting that both of them
could be prepared and still succeed. On the day of the interview, Meshach
used my office to join the virtual session. Each interview lasted about ten
minutes. As he was wrapping up, he noticed his friend’s name appear in the
virtual waiting room. That moment could have felt awkward, but it didn’t.
There was no tension, no resentment, just quiet encouragement.
In the end, Meshach was awarded the fellowship and received an all-
expense-paid trip to attend the ACI Convention in Canada. His friend, the
very one he supported, was also recognized as one of the finalists and
received a sponsored invitation to attend the same conference. That story
stayed with me because it was proof that the sky is wide enough. You do not
lose anything by lifting someone else. Sometimes, the real win is in how you
show up for others, even when you are on your own journey. It reminded me
that when you live and lead with an abundance mindset, you are never truly
competing. You are building. You are multiplying.
Be that friend that share opportunity with your friend and be that friend
that seeks opportunities from your friend. Some friends may not necessarily
tell you until you ask, so ask [Link] that kind of friend. Share
opportunities when they come your way. Seek out opportunities too,
because sometimes people will not offer unless you ask. Stay curious. Stay
generous. There is space for everyone to fly.
Little Nuggets:
There is space for everyone to fly
spread your wings, the sky is big,
Compare yourself only to your yesterday
Because only then will you own your narrative.