In August 2020, two surprising and contrasting announcements were made by the world’s biggest tech giants. The first was that Apple Computers has become the first company to be worth $2 trillion. The second was that Microsoft was killing the internet explorer that was powering more than 90% of personal computers years ago. As I reflect on the implications of these 2 announcements, I remembered the stories of how it all began. I remembered the rivalry between the cofounders of these tech start-ups that marshaled the progress of the digital age. And I was in awe of what Steve Jobs and Bill Gates have achieved as humans with one head, two hands, one body and two legs like the rest of us. I started thinking about how much one life can achieve. It brought me to the powerful reality of my humanity and the possibilities before me. The new man on the block Elon Musk is another reminder of what one life and lifetime can accomplish. I made up my mind that I will courageously pay the price that will enable me to create solutions for humanity like these great tech titans have done and still doing. So, you that is reading this piece, what are you going to do with your life? The talent that you have, how are you going to use it to bless humanity? The opportunities that have been made available via the usefulness and platforms of the internet, how are you going to harness it. How are you maximizing the smartphone that you are probably using to read this article that is more powerful than many powerful personal computers years ago? These are the questions I am asking myself and I am also asking you.
The successful life and accomplishments of these individuals that have positively impacted our lives are within the reach of everyone ready to pay the price. The Earth is looking for people to make great and the requirement is for you to create a product or service or cause that will help solve one or more of the problems humanity encounters every day. Bill Gates was fired by the ambition to make the personal computer commonplace, among others. Elon Musk is motivated by the need to create a sustainable future with renewable power. What is your motivation? The Earth is placing a call on our God-given talents. To enjoy the fame and fortune these entrepreneurs enjoyed you must answer the call with your talents. Everyone is talented with at least one talent. The problem lies in our inability to discover and develop our talents. The rewards for discovering, developing, and using our talents to bless humanity are enormous. You can ask Bill Gates and Elon Musk, which you can actually do via the wonderfulness of this time and age where Presidents, Olympic Champions, Captains of industries, Artists, and all others who continue to impact our lives are a few clicks away. We must not fail. So many resources are at our disposal. Whatever skill you desire you can teach yourself through YouTube. Whatever talent you have you can showcase it on the many social media platforms from Facebook to Snapchat and get the right attention and connection. Breaking through has never been this easy. But you must work it out. The internet is intelligent. The images, video, or music that go viral, do so because they appeal to the individuals on the internet and not because of marketing promotions by a marketing agency. So, create. Create the product or service with your discovered and developed talent. It does not need to be perfect. Just create it! And put it out there on the internet or anywhere that is more appropriate.
The like of Rema, Wizkid, and the 11-year-old Anthony Mmesoma Madu who got a scholarship to a world-renowned dance school in the United States is a testament of what discovering and developing your talents can bring. TV and the internet produce as many distractions as they produce enlightenment and empowerment, hence, you must be prudent with your choice of the content you consume. Uninspiring reality shows will kill your time and take you out of the reality that can enable you to become the best you can be. Abusing substances as seemingly harmless like alcohol or other banned substances will destroy or greatly limit your chances of becoming the next Elon Musk, Lionel Messi, Serena Williams, Cynthia Erivo, or Aliko Dangote. Time is fleeting. The end of the year is here again and must of use have not met or even started what we said we would do in our new year resolutions. Don’t be discouraged. It is better late than never. We still have 4 months to turn our fortunes around. So, take a pen and write down what you can achieve with the talent GOD has given you. The things your family, friends, and even fiends unanimously know are your area of strength and expertise should be developed and deployed to bless humanity. And Earthlings will reward you beyond your wildest dreams.
Ata Ukuta, Editor – www.towncryyers.com