It is very common for individuals to blame every other person, but themselves, for their financial problems. In this part of the world, some others even blame spiritual forces for every calamity that befalls them, especially when it has to do with being incapacitated, financially.
When the chips are down, rational individuals, according to experts, should be objective even when they are the subject matter. This, they say, is the only way to profer workable solutions that will last as long as they are
needed.
It is no longer news that Nigeria witnessed the worst recession in two decades some quarters back, and that the ripple effects of this recession are still very much with citizens, though the country exited recession officially a few months ago. What may be news is that those, who do not appreciate the effects of positive motivation in efforts at enhancing the source of livelihood, still hinge their purchasing power malaise on an almost forgotten era of ‘recession.’
Experts have, however, warned against habits that prevent individuals and households from financial freedom.
Stuffing the brain with unproductive activities hampers capacity development and keeps the individual below average
PUTTING YOUR BRAIN TO SLEEP
In this part of the world, many adults put their brain to sleep with unchallenging, brain dulling tasks that squeeze out the better part of their work time.
A financial expert and psychologist, Mrs. Lola Olugbenga, says many employers in Nigeria are going through serious stress, trying to weather the storm of a difficult operating environment because they are not able to get the right kind of workforce to execute winning strategies.
She says, “Elsewhere in the world, especially in the developed countries, employers don’t need to worry about productivity of staff. There, two plus two will give you four, and everyone that has been employed to do a job knows he must do it, or he is booted out. But here, what you find is that, out of the working hours of a day, many employees spend more than half of that time responding to compliments on Facebook, following celebrities on Instagram, and virtually staying glued to the social media.
“Some others spend the whole day gossiping about their bosses or employers, giving a thousand and one reasons they can’t do what they have been employed to do, and achieving nothing at the end of the review period. Again, when they get home, instead of forming the habit of reading motivational books and self-enhancement tips, they watch movies till daybreak.
RECALL
A lazy man would always give more than 100 reasons why his innate abilities cannot fetch him money. When a door is shut, he does not even want to push to see if it is locked. Such people may not recognise a breakthrough door, when such shows up
“If you are in that category, it will be difficult to break through financially. When you work to surpass your employer’s expectation, and refuse to say ‘I can’t’ where it seems the road is tough, you are preparing yourself for conquering greater challenges ahead. Positive recommendations also come from measurable achievements in successive job stations.
“Stuffing the brain with unproductive activities hampers capacity development and keeps the individual below average. You are also never able to think deeply about ways of making so much out of the little that you have.”
GIVING EXCUSE FOR FAILURE
The Chairman, Homegrown Solutions Inc., Dr. Ayodele Adeniyi, adds that one factor that will always count against an individual’s success efforts is the habit of always finding an excuse for non-performance, either at home or at
work.
“There is no task within the scope of a business that is not achievable. A goal getter stands out with his employers and in his own firm. I always tell people that when they are confronted with a seemingly difficult task, they should explore five ways of making sure it is done successfully rather than giving five reasons it cannot be done. Success does not come on a platter of gold. If you’re waiting for Manna to fall from heaven, you might as well wait endlessly for a breakthrough,” he
notes.
TAKING KICKBACK FOR JOB DONE
Olugbenga, the financial expert and psychologist, says many people often sacrifice long-term benefits for short-term, illegal gratifications.
She explains, “If you render a service to someone on behalf of your company, he is expected to pay your company for the services rendered. If you do a very good job, the impression lasts in the mind of the client. If he gives you something extra and you refuse it, saying it is not necessary and that you are happy he is satisfied, it becomes hard for him to forget that encounter.
“However, if he rewards you financially after that, your skills diffuse with the cash gratification. Being disciplined enough to say no, even when tempted, would pave the way for fast growth and easy recall by those who have enjoyed your services. Those you have gone out of your way to please on the job will, most likely, have in mind, the fact that they owe you, and unsolicited rewards come in big ways.”
IGNORING YOUR TALENT
Above all, experts say anyone who falls into the categories outlined above would most likely ignore his innate abilities.
“A lazy man would always give more than 100 reasons why his innate abilities cannot fetch him money. When a door is shut, he does not even want to push to see if it is locked. Such people may not recognise a breakthrough door, when such shows up,” he adds.
