Why We All Need Side-Chicks

So you have that great idea- that will be the next google... That will make the world stand attention. You draft out a business plan and model, source for investors- Venture capitalists, crowd funding, money rituals family and friends just to make the idea a reality.

You start working on the idea- it became a start-up and eventually a fortune 500 company after ten years. The business is all you've got and a couple of years after that, Boom! It crashed. You lost everything.... You develop an heart attack and died. And the basest thing is that only your family members graced your funeral.

OK maybe that wasn't a real story (or I went too far) but that is what happens when you put all your eggs in one goddamn basket (no matter how expensive or beautiful that basket is).

We all need to have a side-chick (a plan B) in whatever we do - especially if you are an entrepreneur.

No idea is the "bestest." No matter how convinced you are about anything, no matter how much you trust a strategy or model, have a goddamn plan B.

I was 5 chapters into an awesomely controversial book I was writing before my laptop crashed. It crashed without any warning. I trusted the laptop so much that I didn't have a back up.

It hurts when you don't have a back up plan- I have been there, it really hurts. Even the military have backup plans (side chicks).

Having a backup plan is very important. It saves us from embarrassment. Imagine that you have a very important speaking engagement and everything you need (Power point slides, jottings) is on your IPad. And when you mount the podium to speak, it refuses to come on. How would you feel?

Having a backup plan doesn't mean you do not believe in your dreams, you might not even make use the plan B at the end of the day but it is goddamn important you have one.

PS: I am not in any way encouraging/promoting promiscuity. You are completely on your own when you have a side-chick in a relationship.

Sadiq Daniel is a  Serial Entrepreneur and Teens Coach that blogs on business, Self- development, Life lessons and Ideas that challenges the status quo... You can pursue him for a speaking engagements on Twitter: @sadiqspeaks LinkedIn: Sadiq Daniel and Email:Sadiqdaniel@gmail.com

How Much Are You Worth?

When the idea to write this article came, I was very angry. And like I used to do when I get ideas, I wanted to put it to writing at that instant.But I somehow chilled. i don't know how, but i did.

This Was The Reason For My Anger:

Last month, two business blogs sent me couple of emails on how they want me to contribute on their blog... For FREE. I replied to tell them I wasn't interested in the offer.

Two weeks ago, another one(blog) contacted me, still on the same terms and conditions... "Write for FREE". They even still had the guts to tell me that my content has to be exclusive to their blog.

I know I am not making sense yet with this article, just chill (like I did) and read on.

If I got those emails three years ago, I would scream for joy! In 2012 I was literally rolling on the floor, begging blogs to write for free and many declined my request. I needed to write for free so I could get people (traffic) on my blog and improve on my writing skills.

I wrote for a few and my style of writing has improved. In fact, I created my own style of writing *scratch that* and now have a tribe I lead *adjusts crown*.

I am not Seth Godin or Tim Ferris, but I can not write for free for any blog if it is not on my terms. I am not looking to increase my (or my blog's) popularity neither am I looking for avenues to increase my writing skills.

Here Is My fucking Reason 

I may not be as popular as Robert Kiyosaki or Seth Godin (I have mentioned Seth's name twice. He is that awesome) but I know my self worth. I know how much I am worth. I am already writing for free on my own blog (which is very hard especially when you are sharing quality content).

I have a lot of projects I am working on- my radio show, my book, speaking engagements, my blog, 3 start-ups. If I would have to write for even the New York times, I'd definitely have to make certain sacrifices. So writing for free is out of it (except if it has to be on my own terms).

Letting people know your self worth doesn't portray arrogance or pride. It is just a way of letting people know the level of shit you can take.

How long are you going to keep working for FREE all in the name of self development? There is no standard for self development. We learn and grow everyday.

Set high standards for yourself and don't sell yourself cheap.

How much are you worth? If you don't have the answer to that question (or if your answer is I'm always available... For FREE) then you need serious help.

PS: If you need marketing ideas for your startup or small business (how to get more and reach more people), I am offering FREE consultation for the first 15 people that sends me an email: sadiqdaniel@gmail.com

Sadiq Daniel is a  Serial Entrepreneur and Teens Coach that blogs on business, Self- development, Life lessons and Ideas that challenges the status quo... You can pursue him for a speaking engagements on Twitter: @sadiqspeaks LinkedIn: Sadiq Daniel and Email:Sadiqdaniel@gmail.com

The Day I Choked And Almost Sh*t In My Pant

My first (official) public speaking engagement was at a secondary school in Lagos, to an audience of about 200 students. Prior to that day, I had crammed my speech, rehearsed in front of the mirror, prayed and fasted (okay, I didn't fast... but i prayed).

I got to the school, ready to do magic even though I had never done any magic in public speaking before, safe for some impromptu speeches and debates (e.g Boys are better than Girls) I aced in secondary school.

So *clears throat* I was led to the school hall by the principal (she had told her staffs how awesome I am...blah blah blah) and the students were waiting patiently to devour me. There weren't smiling at all, but I wasn't going to let that shake me.

I mounted the podium, grabbed the mic and said "Hi" and that was it! I couldn't say any other word after that. I choked. I just wanted the ground to swallow me or Boko-Haram to bomb the place (okay maybe not, but i just wanted something that will shift all attention away from me).

All the techniques I learnt in Dale Carnegie's book couldn't come to my rescue. I was supposed to talk for 45 mins and here I was, 15 mins into my supposed "magical speech" about to sh*t in my pants.

Flash forwards to this moment; I am not only the craziest man alive, I am also bold and can sell anything to anyone. I have delivered speeches in front of over 500 persons- I am not there yet I know, but I am going to brag about it anyways. I teach about 13-15 teenagers every weekend self-development and creativity. And I also have my own radio show I host every Monday (10.30am-11am) on WigRadio

#AskinWHY on WIGradio

#TuesdayNiteSlam on Ekofm

I got from the person that almost sh*t in his pants to a guy that can stand in the midst of any audience (I am that sure of myself) to sell anything because I didn't quit on my dream to become the craziest public speaker that ever happened to Africa.

We all have that moment in our lives where everything seems not to go as planned. That moment when you doubt yourself and your talents. That moment when you just want to give up on your dreams. That moment where you just choke and almost shit in your pants.

But it is just a moment. A moment  that will pass. A moment that we pass if we embrace our fears and remain persistent.

Embrace your fears...Make mistakes...Learn from them and Make better ones.

It is just a phase you are going through- the choking phase. Your choking phase may be raising funds for your new business, it might be frustration from your boss at work, it might be writing a book when you have a family to cater for at the same time.

Whatever your choking phase may be, stay calm, remain persistent and keep creating work that matters. Do not give up on your dreams. I repeat, Do not give up on your dreams!

Sadiq Daniel is a  Serial Entrepreneur and Teens Coach that blogs on business, Self- development, Life lessons and Ideas that challenges the status quo... You can pursue him for a speaking engagements on Twitter: @sadiqspeaks LinkedIn: Sadiq Daniel and Email:Sadiqdaniel@gmail.com