What Is Your Free Prize?

What makes you stand out?

What makes you different from every other person?

Going to school, getting a degree only puts you in the average class even when you graduate with a first class... It is not enough for you to do great stuffs.

The free prize is that touch of creativity that makes you unique and stand out in a crowded market.

Identify your free prize and be generous with it (unleash it) because it is the only thing that takes you from where you are to where you are meant to be.

PS: I got some emails yesterday from people seeking marketing advice (I guess yesterday's article resonates with a lot of people). So I'd be offering FREE consultation on small business marketing (How to implement that idea of yours and reach a wider target market) till the end of the month. If you are interested, send me an email at sadiqdaniel@gmail.com or Add me on BBM: 27621DB4

Hey Business Owners, We Don't Want To Be Your One-Night Stands No More.

There is this *insert new product* that everyone is screaming about- your colleagues at work, your boss, your pastor and even your crazy dog landlord has it. And it seems as if you are missing out or you wont make it to heaven if you don't get this product.

So one morning, you jumped out of bed and went to the nearest store where you can get this product. The product is so "awesome" that they even have special marketing persons assigned to it. These marketing persons are there to answer your questions and force convince you to buy the product.

The following conversation ensues between you and one of the marketing agents

You: So how much is this XYZ?

M.A: Its is just for $750

You: Erm $750! For this small piece of shit? The one I am using is sold for quarter of that and it still works perfectly okay....

M.A: Yes, this one has the latest *insert one crazy tech term*.....

You: *interrupts* So?

M.A: XYZ can predict the future, It can console you when you are depressed... it can get you a better job... it can....

You: Hmm... Ok. I guess it is worth the price then.

M.A: Thank you for purchasing XYZ. You won't regret it.

XYZ predicted the future and did all those things but after couple of weeks, XYZ starts malfunctioning. Then you call the company's customer service for help, a certain lady named Trisha attended to you but all she said was trash- nothing significant to help your situation.

You swear, curse, Pray and fast all to no avail.... 

Most businesses are like this, they are only interested in one-night stands - Their main goal is the initial sale. So they put up crazy ads on blogs, TV, Radio, some even spam interrupt your inbox with crazy and sexy deals just to get your attention. 

Just like pick up artistes, they just have sex with you and leave you hurting. Poor customer service delivery, no after sales support... nothing!

This is a very wrong way to do business and it pains me to see emerging small businesses make use of that "one-night stand" model.

Why have one-night stands when you can build a long-term relationships with your customers. It is a win-win if you must ask me because long-term relationships even results to more sex (sales). In a long term relationship you can try out new styles (introduce new products) with your customers. And they even tend to tell your friends how great you are in bed.

But starting a long term relationship with your customers, unlike one-night stands  involves commitment which means showing up almost all the time. Yes it is hard, but it is definitely worth it.

This resonates with almost everyone (because we are all selling something), especially if you are creating something.  Your customers are not fans and you are not a celebrity, you owe them.

If you just published a "bad ass" book, Don't just be a one-night book stand, You can start a blog for people to see what you are up to or even send in their feed-backs. Try to reply comments, reply emails, return calls.... give back the best way you can. Re-connect with that man that assisted you with your job search.... Always aim to build long-term relationships with your clients and people around you that matters (I know some people can be ass-holes).

The one-night stands might sound like fun but it is just stupid. Even after God created man, he is still interested in a long term relationship with him. If God could do that, I mean.... *drops mic*

Photo Credit:quotepictures

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

Defending vs Challenging The Status-Quo

The singular reason why I started this blog is to share ideas that challenges the status quo- the status quo in life, business and everything in between. Because I think that is what almost everyone should be doing instead of seating back, defending it.

Fear is killing us

There are so many things out of place and abnormal things now look so normal that if you challenge the status quo, people will tag you as crazy... So the fear of people calling us crazy, the fear of what our close friends will say about us, the fear of being proven wrong amongst others has stopped us from challenging the bullshit and standing up for what we believe in.

So we give in to what scares us, to what threatens us, to what disappoints us, instead of looking them in the eyes.
We need to stop shutting our eyes to things we feel don't go well with us... Stop adapting to bullshit... Stop surviving life...

Take the wheels of your life and drive wherever you want. The world is big enough to house your beliefs and dreams... Stop defending the status quo.... Challenge it!

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

What Is Killing Our Creativity?

So I got series of attacks on my personality from some people that read my controversial post (you may check it out here if you have not read it).

But this article is not about "all of that". It is not controversial in any way and it is about something important and serious to humanity and it is something that has been bothering me for couple of years now....

When God created man, he did in his image. And when you take a look at nature and the beautiful things it is made of, you will clearly see (if you don't know already) that the creator is creative and it is only logical to say man has the potential to be creative too.

But what is really happening to us? Why do we find it hard to tap into and harness this creativity? Creativity (in my definition) is the act of making something happen, out of nothing. The act of turning crazy ideas into reality.... What is killing this creativity?

Did We Outgrow Creativity?

We were all born creative. In fact many of us were given pencils and crayons when we were young and we drew and colored our world with them. We were not afraid of what people thought about what we drew. We didn't care whether or not it was "rubbish" to them... We drew anyways.

But as we grew, things started changing. We became more scared of what people will say or think about what we do. We became scared that we end up not doing anything.... Or

Did Our Parents Have Anything to do with it?

I happened to crash into this part of the world when toys were considered luxury for kids and it was only "rich" people that bought toys for their kids. Unfortunately, my parents didn't happen to fall into that category. But interesting, I didn't regret any of that, because as little as I was then, I improvised. I remember creating motor cars with sticks and crowns of soda bottles. I also did some amazing stuffs too that I've forgotten.
But I remember my mother beating the hell out of me almost everyday because I was always covered in mud. I think she beat creativity out of me too because in a bid to escape the wrath of my mother,  I (as little as I was then) became very conscious of myself. I had stopped playing in the mud with my "motor cars" -and it stopped being fun for me because I was no longer free to play the way I wanted. It even got worse to the point where my friends left me.... For some of us, it didn't end at that, our parents even forced certain career paths on some of us. And I think many of us can relate to these experiences... Or

Is it School?

In school we were/are being taught to cram, do things in certain ways  if we want to get good grades. And if you get an answer wrong, you are punished severely. We become scared to ask the teacher questions because we don't want to be laughed at just the way the teacher laughed at Jide last week when he asked why 1+1=2.
The system is too bad that we are just taught what to do without telling us why we need to do them... Too bad that it doesn't give room for mistakes... Or

Is it our addiction to respect or religion, is it the devil or the angels, is it the technological advancement...

There are so many things killing our creativity and it is good to take these things into consideration, but the most important thing is to reconnect ourselves back to this creativity that has been deposited in us right from the onset.

Think like an Adult, Act like a kid... Let people tag you crazy -all ideas were crazy at some point....

Make mistakes. Learn from them. Make better mistakes.

Don't be scared of what people will say about your ideas. Just do them any way.

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

Why We Need To Make More Mistakes

It is a huge shame that the educational system we have is interested only in perfectionism - there is no tiny bit of allowance for mistakes. And this is really killing us.

I remember vividly the shit i went through during my high school days, you dare not score less than the pass mark (in most cases average of the total scores) if you don't want to be punished. And punishment in the part of world where I'm from involves  shooting whipping  you on the back or buttocks with cane till you scream out loud to the heavens. (We don't believe in detention or any of those things they do in Hollywood)

So we try as much as possible not to 'fail'. We cheat, pray, cram just to make the pass mark. And even outside school, our parents don't make things easier- instead of asking what went wrong and look for ways to fix them, they condemn and compare you with those that actually made the pass mark (and you'd be very lucky if that's the only thing they did).

It doesn't stop at that, it goes on and on till you graduate from college and even start working in a firm or on your own start-up.

This "mentality" of perfectionism and not giving room for mistakes is eating up our creativity.... We really need to re-orientate our inner minds that it is OK to make mistakes.

Perfectionism prevents us from moving out of our comfort zone and taking risks. It makes us feel as if we're falling short and therefore we never feel satisfied... And that's what is making the life of some miserable today.

As a young boy in his mid 20's I'm happy to admit I have made terrible mistakes and even ready to more- better ones. I've created 3 start-ups that all crashed. That doesn't make me a failure - mistakes doesn't make one a failure no matter how big they may seem. And that didn't stop me from taking more risks- even bigger ones... In fact I'm currently working on two start-ups right now.

We shouldn't make perfectionism our goal. Put resilience in its stead- the ability to make mistakes, learn from them and become a better person.

The only way light can get through a wall is when there is a crack. Do not be scared of trying out new things.

The only way you can make something happen is by being willing to take risks and taking risks means you are ready for mistakes.

It is very okay to make mistakes; learn from them when you make them and make better mistakes because that is the only way we can progress and move forward.

PS: Teachers should encourage mistakes (at least that is what school is meant for- to be better) in kids instead of punishing them. This will encourage/challenge them to try out new tasks and ask questions without feeling/appearing dumb.

Image credit:fab





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

 
 

If You Are Not Crazy, You Can't Be An Entrepreneur

Before you quit your job or tell your stupid boss to go to hell, you should read this article.

I don't have a degree in business or an MBA and I haven't attended world class seminars on business... So it is very okay if you don’t believe anything you read here.

I have helped a few start-ups and I have also created some myself - some crashed and some are struggling to survive... So I think I have a few things to say about entrepreneurship. They may look stupid or sound controversial but I swear they'd do you a lot of good... And maybe save you money.

Entrepreneurship Is Not An Escape Route:
I know "9-5" jobs are crazy. ..Waking up as early as 4am; so you could get to work early and probably save your ass from getting kicked job. Then you work tirelessly like an animal (your effort might go unnoticed) till 5pm… You get home around 11pm, if you are lucky and the cycle continues.

So, many people are looking escape routes… things that won't wear them out – a situation where they'd work less and earn more. As humans it is okay to look for alternatives when things are not working out the way we anticipated. But they make the mistake of thinking creating a business is that escape route... No it isn't! Maybe Money rituals or Yahoo-Yahoo (internet scam) is… But entrepreneurship isn't.

Entrepreneurship Is Not Sexy:
 Starting and growing a business is full of shit. It is for only those that are ready to get dirty (not the kind of dirty you are thinking). Oh! You think “9-5” is stressful? Try entrepreneurship. When you start your own business there is no time bracket.
 
There will be times where no one would give a fuck about your ideas. You'd pitch your ideas to so many investors that will tell you to tell you to go to hell. Even when you get investors, your business might not strive. You'd waste a lot of money on advertisement... You'd spend more and earn less... You'd make a lot of stupid mistakes.

Only Crazy People Can Become True Entrepreneurs: 
Entrepreneurship is crazy and you have to be crazy if you want to make it.

Entrepreneurship is not what you think it is ...Entrepreneurship is beyond becoming your own boss or any of those "Disney- land" kinds of imaginations we have about starting up a business.

There will be times where you won't sleep for days, trying to work on a new idea.
 
There will be times where you'd be everything - customer service, marketing department, Finance department ... And no one even your stupid boss would be there to monitor you.

When you launch your start up, Crazy things will happen. Things will get harder but you just have to believe in your idea. You'd make mistakes but you learn from them and make better mistakes. People might not give a damn about your idea but you just have to be persistent.

When you make a mistake, don't try to fix it. Instead try fixing the process.

Invest in books... Read books on business, these books will help you a lot.

Entrepreneurship is crazy but it is all about contributing your own quota to the world we live in. 

Entrepreneurship is about making an impact and making a positive difference.

Entrepreneurship is no easy way out. Entrepreneurship is not sexy and entrepreneurship is not for lazy people.

If you have a start-up, kindly share your start up idea and your experience.

PS: I think you should read Smart People Don't Give A Fuck About Your Idea too.

Sadiq Daniel is a certified Crazy Writer and Teens Coach that blogs on Business, Self- development and Life lessons. You can pursue him on Twitter: @sadiqspeaks LinkedIn: Sadiq Daniel and Email: Sadiqdaniel@gmail.com

Someone Should Please Tell Our Parents That Engineers, Doctors And Lawyers Are Not The Coolest People In The World.

It all started when my class teacher asked me what I intended becoming in life.... I had just turned 11 (that is when it always happens) and it was my first day of high school, I was ecstatic because I've heard a lot of exciting stuffs about high school and finally I was here ready to explore....

I actually planned for everything but not this question. I have never been asked that question before- I had no idea what it meant. I was just a normal kid that could recite his mathematical tables offhand.

So I didn't say anything. Then she asked the boy seated next to me. He said he wanted to be a Doctor. She asked another boy who said he wanted to be a Lawyer.

In summary she asked everyone in the class and they all seemed to have ready made answers - Engineers, Lawyers, Doctors... "How could they have known what they intended becoming in life?" I asked... Maybe I wasn't really prepared for high school after all.

So during Recess, I asked my seat mate (the one that wanted to become a Doctor) how he got the answer to the question, he replied and said "My dad told me"

When I got home I asked my dad and he said "you can either be an Engineer, a doctor, a lawyer or a banker" (I can't really remember how he said it)

So I grew up with the mindset that you either become an engineer, doctor, lawyer or nothing! Although I was still confused on what I intended becoming, there was a time when I wanted to be a Lawyer, an engineer, a doctor and there were times where I wanted to be all three. But it never went beyond those three professions.

As I grew older, I settled for Engineering because I heard it fetched more money and it had a lot of opportunities in it.

I signed up for crazy subjects like chemistry, physics and math. I hated mathematics so much. We were always asked to find "X". I guessed "X" must be really important to human existence or something.

If I really wanted to be an Engineer, I needed to pass mathematics so I crammed, coupled with prayers and fasting... I survived. I never had ‘A’s but I survived.

After writing JAMB (an entrance exam that you need to pass if you want to get into the university) couple of times, I got into the University to study Chemical Engineering.

Things didn't go as smooth as I anticipated... I had to do crazier mathematics, but I survived, at least the first year.

When I got to my second year, my prayers and fasting could no longer help me. Things went from crazier to craziest... It got to a point where I had to support my prayers and fasting with micro chips (tiny pieces of paper with likely answers written in them you take along with you to an exam hall), with time I graduated to macro chips. I just had to do these things if I wanted to pass - if I wanted to become an engineer - if I wanted to make more money.

Things got worse for me; I had gone past my elastic limit. I got to a point where I could no longer survive then it dawn on me that Engineering wasn't really as cool as I thought it was.

I successfully found my way back though. I discovered my passion for writing, Entrepreneurship and public speaking. I was introduced to cooler books than engineering books.... Books that weren't about flow rate or fluid mechanics or finding "X"…. Books that actually brought out the creativity in me.

I started living a life where I needed little fasting and prayers… A life where I don't need to survive. I started living and stopped surviving.

I know this is a pretty long post that very few people would read. But I just needed to write this so people (especially teenagers) won't be misled the way I was.

Engineers, Doctors, Lawyers are not the coolest people on earth. Writers, Painters, Footballers, Musicians, Linguists, programmers are cool too.

We need to change the way we look at these careers/Profession.

Parents should stop brainwashing teenagers and forcing a particular profession/career path on them - it won't do them any good. Instead spend more time with them, figure out their strengths and weaknesses - that would give you an idea on what to fix and what you need to invest more in.

Schools should also invest more in career development programs for teenagers in high school. Teenagers should be properly mentored and guided when it comes to choosing a career path.

If you are reading this article and you are a teenager, take time to study yourself.

What are you good at?

What makes you happy?

What are you passionate about?

These questions are very crucial when it comes to choosing a career path.... Read books too - books on self development, goals setting and career development.

Then get yourself a mentor. Someone that walked that path you have chosen and learn from their mistakes.

It is not all about money but making an impact in the world we live.... Stop trying to survive and start living.

Tell someone (especially our parents) that Engineers, Doctors, Lawyers are not the coolest people on earth... Maybe that way we can make the world a better place.

Sadiq Daniel is a certified crazy writer and Teens Coach that blogs on business, Self- development and Life lessons. You can pursue him on Twitter: @sadiqspeaks LinkedIn: Sadiq Daniel and Email: Sadiqdaniel@gmail.com