Life presents us with opportunities but most times we choose to neglect them but When we happen to come across people who have made landsliding success in various areas, we feel they sat and it just happened and so, we think ours will just happen as we jump up.
No. Things don't just happen. It takes pains, rejection, discouragements, failures as well as lessons to get things happening.
I recall years back, when I tried to start a career in writing. I needed people to start reading what I wrote. I wanted to see my name bold on widespread publications. I needed someone better to see my errors and correct them. So, I went for an internship in one of the renowned newspaper corporation.
Before going, I thought I was already good in writing and was just going to brush up. No. Not until my first assignment.
The News Editor sent me to my local government of origin, to cover children's day celebration for that year and report same day, for next day's publication. I was so excited. What a cheap assignment. To me, it was a good way to make me shine. It seemed so easy at first.
I reported to the newsroom later in the day to file in my story, and wait to see my name float on the so national newspaper.
My adorable news editor, after reading, threw away the first copy of more than seven pages hand written work without a word. I took them and went back to my desk and wrote a new one.
"Tio! What rubbish is this? Get this thing out of my office immediately and give me a concise story." - Editor said. His voice was on top of the roof. I'm sure that even those by the admin, security and production room knew that something terrible had happened in the newsroom. Those were places far from newsroom.
At that point, I understood what it meant when they said 'hell is closer than we think'.
I made four more attempts on the same day. All were cancelled. I left the newsroom by night. I went back home, wrote a fresh story, filed-in on editor's desk next morning, I picked it from the waste bin by noon. I then knew that writing wasn't my career at all.
I wondered why he didn't do the editing work on my copy. Maybe, just maybe my work was beyond editing in English.
At that point, I got close to other desk editors' with experience, I got help from one I'd never forget. And, my first story then became published after six days of the event. I was really excited to have had a professional 'byline'. At least, I was not just a member of the pen profession, I had credibility.
That credibility continued till I won my first front page story the later month, on reporting a state event. By then, I became used to seeing my name on newspaper pages. I could write a story and file in immediately for publication without the same editor putting red biro and calling me names.
The same Editor who threw my breathtaking stories away, was the same Editor who filed in my stories without a single correction. He'd say "Tio, I just hope you wrote this yourself." Whatever it meant, I felt like I had achieved something.
After all, I realized that I didn't only become a good reporter, I also became a good editor.
I then understood that what my immediate editor want was not a reporter, but an editor.
Becoming your dream person, and getting anything done for success' sake requires a deliberate and sustained effort.
Go to where you need to start from scratch. You'll miss alot if you want to jump or cut corners.
Life it’s self is difficult, stretch above your limits and conquer your fears.
You can't sit tight and expect personal or career development to fly from heaven. You have to do it. Do it yourself. Face the fear, the shout, the shame and come out strong.
You may not feel liked by many at first, but soon, many would come to shoulder you for your achievement.
Lemme use this opportunity to send greetings to the following steemians for their humble service to the community and for their support.
@ewuso, @surpassinggoogle, @julietisrael, @ shaka, @candyman, @kodeblacc, @oyinoza, @tony-duke, @samstickkz, @gbenga, @hr1, @surfyogi, @gloglo, @ogoowinner, @uche-nna @jeaniepearl
God bless you guys
Thank you
Lemme use this opportunity to send greetings to the following steemians for their humble service to the community and for their support.
@ewuso, @surpassinggoogle, @julietisrael, @ shaka, @candyman, @kodeblacc, @oyinoza, @tony-duke, @samstickkz, @gbenga, @hr1, @surfyogi, @gloglo, @ogoowinner, @uche-nna @jeaniepearl
God bless you guys
Thank you
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