The beauty of beautiful music is that it has the intense ability to evoke, alter and even produce emotion inside us. There’s a certain truth in Teddy Pendergrass’ convincing raspy voice when I press play on my iPod soul list and hear him sing, “Wake up everybody no more sleeping in bed / No more backward thinking time for thinking ahead.”
“Wake Up Everybody” was written 35 years ago and 35 years later, a lot of us are still asleep. It’s important to have faith, but faith without work is dead. We rely on overnight success to get us out of bed. From instant internet sensations, to quickly-formed reality TV stars, society is sending the message that you can TiVo life, fast-forward failure and replay success. Don’t be fooled, overnight successes are years of hard work and hustle that haven’t been televised. There’s simply a misconception of success and everybody is going for it. Chasing the success before chasing the goal is like a drunken one-night stand. You may get it, but it’ll only last 15 minutes and won’t be remembered.
You need a plan.
We’re not afraid of guns, but we’re afraid of the future. We’re afraid of the very thought of reaching the capacity of our own greatness. We’re scared of what might not happen and what we don’t know. But instead of dwelling on what you don’t know, consider what you do know when planning your future and creating goals. We’re often misguided by our fears and forget that our GPS (God’s Planning System) can navigate us directly to our destination. There’s no need to be worried about your future when you plan. If everyone knew how deeply God loves them, uncertainty would certainly cease to exist.
Clarity can be overrated–don’t be afraid to move on a maybe. Embrace the haze and enjoy the fog. Author, Tony Gaskins said, “If you can see every detail of your vision perfectly clear, you’re not dreaming big enough.” It’s okay to not know how it will get done, as long as you know that it will get done. If all the pieces of life’s puzzles could be seen, then we’d abandon God. “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9.
Gentlemen, this is for you: Turn off “Soul Plane” and get a soul plan. Stop living for today and being unprepared for tomorrow. Procrastination is the thief of time. Confront your weaknesses. Draft a five-year plan by listing your goals, your strengths and how to create opportunities. Don’t be afraid of failure, be afraid of not trying. It’s ridiculous to deny changing your lifestyle, but demand change.
“The world won’t get no better if we just let it be / The world won’t get no better we got to change it, just you and me.”-Teddy Pendergrass
Ladies, this is for you: When he asks for your phone number, ask him for his five-year plan. Accepting mediocrity will infest all areas of your life. And don’t worry about yesterday. The past is gone and tomorrow will soon be today. Focus on today and plan for tomorrow–only then will you be in control of your future.
Life is a gift so enjoy the present. Reality is better than daydreaming if we’d just wake up! Get a soul plan.
Pleasantries.
– Enitan Bereola, II
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Bereola is the go-to style and etiquette impresario, public speaker and entrepreneur. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed BEREOLAESQUE: The Contemporary Gentleman & Etiquette book for the Urban Sophisticate. He is working on his follow-up, Guide to Ladies’ Etiquette from a Gentleman’s Perspective. Find him at www.twitter.com/Bereolaesque and at www.facebook.com/Bereolaesque
great your blog,thanks