Finding Help in times of need -Part 23

Go the Extra Mile

One of the things in life that do not come to us equally is the opportunities and the privileges we enjoy. Some people have a better start in life than others, but many things contribute to our starting point. Many found themselves farther behind, while some found themselves with a silver spoon in their mouth. How can you navigate through life from where you are to where you need to be, especially when you are not among those on the front line?

Life is like a race but with everyone in different starting positions. You may have found yourself farther away from others—you may lack what others have or may not have access to what some other people have access to in life.

Some people lost one or both parent while they were young. Some did not have access to free or private education. For some, they never had to work while they were young—the opposite for some others. Some never knew where meals would come from daily—they had to fend for themselves. Some had constant challenges at home that became a distraction that frustrated everything they attempted.

Some had to handle challenging relationships that affected their state of mind. Some did not have access to the right counsels and guidance. Some did not have materials that could help them make the right decisions. Some were victims of a government, some victims of a bad policy. Numerous are challenges people go through, and it does affect their journey in life.

What do you do if you find yourself in such a position? What are your choices? Is there any hope? Do not give up—it is not the end. You may not be in the best position, but it does not mean you cannot fulfil your dreams. All it means is that you need more strength, courage and help to go that extra mile.

You may need to work harder to change your story. Some people do not have access to education—they had to compete with thousands or even millions of people to get a scholarship. It is hard work—it is going the extra mile. You cannot afford to copy others because there are not in the same position as you. You need to read more, study more to get such opportunities. It requires doing all you can to make that change happen.

How hard you need to focus depends on where you are. Many people do not realise this—they copy others that do not have similar challenges or experiences.  They later discover that they cannot catch up as they need to run twice as much—not at the same pace, to make a difference.

Many have overcome their limitations by working harder for opportunities, scholarships, funds, loans, and employment. A student that does not do well in Mathematics, for instance, probably does not have a good understanding of the subject. He may have gaps in his knowledge that have made it difficult for him to learn at the same pace as others.

It does not mean he cannot do well—it only means he needs to read more, do more to catch up with others. He may need to get relevant books, read more, borrow more materials, waste less time and focus on the subject. It is not a good idea to feel inferior or incapable, especially when others are doing well. You need to understand your situation and work harder to improve it.

If you are struggling in any area of life, it may be that your past has not prepared you for such challenges. It is not that you are strange, but a sign that you need to work extra on such areas to catch up. It may be easier for some to do well in the workplace, but for some others, they may have more challenges to deal with that is affecting their performance. It means that they need to work harder and do more to achieve the same or better results.

A student that struggles to pass an examination may find it challenging, but if he spends more time with relevant materials and extra coaching, he will probably do better. Everyone can do well, but many factors that affect performance are not considered or worked on for improvement. A child with learning difficulties can do well with extra materials and attention. If left alone without further assistance, the challenges will affect performance and the result of the child.

If you start a new company from scratch, you may need to work harder to succeed. There are some things that you need to put in place that will require extra work and time. Established brands or those rebranding or merging may not need to do some of those things as they already have those privileges. They may have a structure, sponsors, customers, properties, a known brand, good history, and assets. It implies that they are starting on a better platform. A new company can achieve the same or better, but they would be prepared to work harder and do more. If you know the tasks ahead of you and your present position, you will understand the journey before you and prepare according.

If you were not born to an affluent family, it does not mean you cannot be wealthy. It only means you have to work harder. Many seek better opportunities in companies or nations. It is not impossible, but it depends on where they are, compared to where they aspire to be in the future. They might need to work harder and go the extra mile to secure the opportunities they desire.

Many employers go to universities to select the best students—it is often a competitive process. Those that desire such plan ahead to work and burn the midnight candle to secure a juicy appointment—if they are not part of the selected few, they would have added value to make them competitive in other opportunities.

Many poor and less privileged have risen above barriers by taking advantage of such opportunities. The opportunities are there but will not literarily go to them, so they have to compete for it with hard work. You are poor does not mean you cannot be great—it only means you have to work harder than those with such privileges.

A politician that is not known could win an election, but he has to do more to gain the trust and confidence of the people. Opportunities come with responsibilities. If you do not have the best position, you can rise to work harder to change your story.

Some entrepreneurs borrow money to start a business. They need to make more than the loan to make a profit. As they do not have the initial funds, they have to work twice as hard to make money to pay off the loan and get some profit for themselves. They could work as much as eighteen hours a day to make a difference that will change their situation—some have changed their stories as a result—they now have enough money.

Many sportsmen and women work so hard to break through into the limelight. It does not just happen—they go the extra mile to make a difference. They are unknown, so they have to work harder to qualify and prove that they deserve a chance. They usually engage in rigorous and continuous training to develop and enhance their skills.

Some people may desire some job opportunities but may not be selected. They may have to offer their skills to big organisations as a volunteer. It may not produce profit immediately, but it may secure opportunities that will pay off in future. You may need to go that extra mile to initiate the change that you desire.

You can decide to change your situation by a deliberate and conscious decision. Do not give up! Do not let your circumstance overwhelm you. Go the extra mile to initiate a change for the better.

To be continued next week, don’t miss it.

Thank you for investing time to read this post. I hope you have found it valuable. I will be glad to hear from you. Please leave a comment below and share.

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