Why Free Things Never Make You Successful
Modern Man Must Evolve or Die
Welcome to this edition of Success Breath with Benson Adima.
Listen carefully, because what I'm about to tell you will separate you from
ninety-nine percent of humanity. The rules that governed success for previous
generations are not just outdated, they're actively sabotaging your potential in
today's hyper-competitive world.
Your ancestors lived in a different universe. They could afford to think
small, eat poorly, and rely on physical strength because their competition was
limited to their village, their region, and their country. You? You're competing
with eight billion people, and artificial intelligence is breathing down your
neck every single day.
The uncomfortable truth is this: evolution doesn't wait for permission,
and neither should you.
The Great Divergence: Why Ancestral Wisdom Fails You
Let me paint you a picture of the chasm between then and now. Your
great-grandfather could survive on potatoes, bread, and whatever grew in his
backyard because his biggest mental challenge was remembering his neighbor's
names and calculating simple transactions. His brain ran on glucose and prayer.
You live in the information age, where your cognitive capacity determines
your economic capacity. While your ancestors filled their stomachs with starchy
comfort foods, you must fuel your mind with precision nutrition. Omega-3 fatty
acids, high-quality proteins, targeted supplementation, these aren't luxuries;
they're your competitive weapons.
Consider this: your ancestors didn't understand mental health because
their psychological stress was temporary and physical. A bad harvest, a harsh
winter, a conflict with neighbors, these had clear beginnings and endings. Your
mind faces an endless barrage of digital stimulation, decision fatigue, and
existential complexity that would have broken their spirits in weeks.
They dismissed mental wellness as weakness. You must treat your
psychological state as sacred territory because in a knowledge economy, your
mental clarity literally determines your market value. Depression isn't just
sadness; it's professional suicide. Anxiety isn't just worry, it's innovation
paralysis.
And alcohol? Your forefathers used it to celebrate harvests and numb
physical pain. They could afford to be intoxicated because tomorrow looked
exactly like today. You live in a world where opportunities appear and vanish
in hours. Every moment of mental fog could cost you the breakthrough that
changes everything. Treat alcohol like the cognitive poison it is.
The New Trinity of Power
In this new world, three forms of capital will determine whether you
thrive or merely survive: your reputation, your cognitive architecture, and
your network.
Your reputation is your most valuable asset because trust scales
infinitely. In Lagos, Nigeria, consider Aliko Dangote. He didn't become
Africa's richest man through superior products alone; he built an unshakeable
reputation for reliability and vision. When Dangote speaks, governments listen,
investors mobilize, and entire industries pivot. His word carries more weight
than most nations' currencies. That's the power of reputation capital.
But reputation without cognitive excellence is just popular mediocrity.
Your mind is your manufacturing plant for breakthrough thinking. Look at Tony
Elumelu, another Nigerian titan. He didn't just inherit wealth; he engineered
systematic thinking approaches that allowed him to see patterns others missed.
He understood that in banking, in investments, in entrepreneurship, the quality
of your mental models determines the quality of your outcomes.
Your network amplifies everything. It's not about collecting business
cards; it's about becoming so valuable that high-caliber individuals gravitate
toward you. When Mark Cuban, the American billionaire entrepreneur, started
out, he didn't just accumulate contacts. He made himself indispensable to
people who mattered. He studied technology trends obsessively, provided genuine
value first, and built relationships based on mutual elevation rather than
transactional convenience.
The Modern Evolution Blueprint
Here's what evolution looks like in practice. First, optimize your
biological foundation. Your ancestors thought food was fuel. You must think of
food as medicine. Every meal is either moving you toward peak cognitive
performance or away from it. Blueberries for memory enhancement, wild-caught
salmon for brain connectivity, and precise timing of nutrients for sustained mental
energy.
Second, weaponize modern medicine and longevity science. Your ancestors
accepted aging as an inevitable decline. You have access to biomarkers, hormone
optimization, sleep architecture analysis, and genetic testing that can add
decades of productive years to your life. This isn't vanity, it's competitive
strategy.
Third, master the art of continuous learning. Your ancestors could master
one skill and coast for decades. You must become a learning machine. The
half-life of professional skills is shrinking rapidly. What took ten years to
become obsolete now becomes outdated in eighteen months.
Fourth, build systems for mental resilience. Meditation isn't spiritual
luxury; it's cognitive training. Therapy isn't weakness, it's performance
optimization. Stress management isn't comfort-seeking; it's sustainability
engineering.
Real-World Case Studies: The Winners Who Evolved
Let me give you concrete examples of this evolution in action. In
Nigeria, Sim Shagaya revolutionized e-commerce not by having more money than
competitors, but by thinking differently about African consumer behavior. While
others applied Western models, he studied local patterns, built trust systems
suited to Nigerian markets, and created uLesson, transforming education
accessibility. His cognitive adaptability, reputation for innovation, and
strategic network building turned ideas into an empire.
Similarly, Linda Ikeji built a media empire from her bedroom by
understanding that content creation was evolving faster than traditional media
companies could adapt. She invested in her personal brand reputation,
continuously upgraded her understanding of digital platforms, and built
networks with both content creators and advertisers. Today, her influence
reaches millions while traditional media companies struggle with relevance.
In the United States, consider Sara Blakely's Spanx revolution. She
didn't have fashion industry connections or textile manufacturing experience.
But she had evolved thinking patterns. She identified problems others ignored,
persisted through hundreds of rejections, and built a network of believers. Her
cognitive approach to problem-solving, combined with relentless reputation
building and strategic networking, created a billion-dollar business from a
single insight.
Your Action Point: The 90-Day Evolution Protocol
Here's your immediate action point. I'm giving you a ninety-day evolution
protocol that will separate you from mediocrity permanently.
Days 1-30: Cognitive Foundation Building. Eliminate all processed foods,
implement a targeted supplement protocol based on cognitive enhancement
research, establish a daily meditation practice, and begin tracking your mental
clarity scores. Start reading one book per week from a master's in your field.
Days 31-60: Reputation Engineering. Create valuable content consistently,
whether written, video, or audio. Begin solving problems for others in your
industry publicly. Start building a documented track record of insights and
solutions. Join or create mastermind groups with people operating at higher
levels than your current position.
Days 61-90: Network Acceleration. Reach out to five high-caliber
individuals in your industry with specific value propositions. Attend or
organize events where meaningful connections can be made. Begin mentoring
someone below your level while seeking mentorship from someone above your
level.
The uncomfortable truth is that evolution is not optional. You can choose
conscious evolution or accept unconscious extinction. Your ancestors had the
luxury of stability. You have the opportunity of infinite growth.
As King Solomon wisely observed, "He that hath no rule over his
spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." In today's
world, self-mastery isn't a philosophical luxury; it's a survival necessity.
Control the world within, and the world without will bend to your will.
The choice is yours, but the clock is ticking. Evolution doesn't wait, and
neither should you.
Start today. Your future self will thank you, and your competitors will
wonder what happened while they were still thinking like their ancestors.
Until I come your way again, Benson Adima remains your foremost motivational
speaker and author here in Lagos, Nigeria, West Africa
SUCCESS BREATH WITH BENSON ADIMA
SUCCESS BREATH WITH BENSON ADIMA
Breathing Life into Your Dreams
In the bustling heart of Lagos, where millions chase their dreams amidst the vibrant chaos of Africa's largest city, success isn't just a destination—it's a rhythm, a breath that flows through every intentional action we take. Today, I want to share with you the essence of what I call the "Success Breath"—a powerful metaphor that can transform your approach to personal development and achievement.
The Inhale: Gathering Your Resources
Just as every breath begins with an inhale, your journey to success starts with gathering what you need. Think about how your lungs expand, drawing in life-giving oxygen. Similarly, your success journey requires you to actively gather:
Knowledge: Every book you read, every course you take, every mentor you listen to—these are your oxygen molecules of wisdom. In today's Nigeria, and indeed across Africa, we have unprecedented access to information. Use it wisely.
Relationships: Your network is your net worth. Surround yourself with those who challenge you to grow, and who share your values but perhaps not your viewpoints. These connections are the rich air that fills your successful lungs.
Experiences: Both victories and failures are valuable breaths of experience. In Lagos, I've seen countless entrepreneurs who understood that each setback is simply another breath, another lesson, another step forward.
The Hold: Processing and Integration
After a deep inhale, there's that moment of hold—when oxygen transfers into your bloodstream. This is where many miss their opportunity. They gather knowledge but never integrate it. They collect contacts but never build real relationships. They experience failure but never extract the lessons.
Take time to:
- Reflect on your learning
- Process your experiences
- Plan your next moves
- Align your actions with your values
The Exhale: Taking Action
Here's where the magic happens. Just as your exhale releases carbon dioxide and makes room for fresh air, your actions should release value into the world while creating space for new opportunities.
Your exhale is:
- The sales pitch you deliver
- The business you launch
- The presentation you give
- The helping hand you extend
- The leadership you demonstrate
The Rhythm of Success
Success, like breathing, is rhythmic. It requires consistency. Here in Nigeria, I've witnessed too many aspiring entrepreneurs and professionals who try to hold their breath—waiting for the perfect moment, the perfect opportunity, the perfect condition. But success, like breathing, is about finding your rhythm and maintaining it.
Your success rhythm should include:
1. Daily Growth: Read, learn, connect
2. Weekly Review: Assess, adjust, and plan
3. Monthly Evaluation: Measure, celebrate, strategize
4. Quarterly Reset: Refocus, realign, recommit
The Nigerian Advantage
We Nigerians understand resilience. We understand the power of breathing through challenges. In Lagos traffic, in business negotiations, in family responsibilities—we've learned to maintain our rhythm despite external pressures.
Use this inherent strength. Let it fuel your success breath. Remember:
- Every challenge is an opportunity to strengthen your lungs
- Every setback is a chance to deepen your breath
- Every victory is a moment to breathe gratitude
Making It Personal
Your success breath is unique to you. Some succeed with quick, energetic breaths of rapid action and swift decisions. Others thrive with deep, measured breaths of careful planning and strategic moves.
Find your rhythm by:
- Understanding your natural pace
- Identifying your peak performance patterns
- Aligning your actions with your energy levels
- Creating systems that support your rhythm
As you leave today's reflection, remember that success, like breathing, is not a one-time event. It's a continuous process that requires attention, intention, and action.
Start today:
1. Take a deep success inhale—gather new knowledge
2. Hold—reflect on where you are and where you're going
3. Exhale—take meaningful action toward your goals
Remember, in the words of an old African proverb: "However long the night, the dawn will break." Your successful breath is what carries you through the night toward your dawn.
Let's breathe success together.
Benson Adima is a renowned motivational speaker and personal development expert based in Lagos, Nigeria. Through his speaking engagements, training programs, and mentorship, he helps individuals and organizations achieve peak performance and sustainable success.
SUCCESS BREATH with BENSON ADIMA
LIVE IS A JOURNEY, EVERYTHING IN IT IS A PROCESS, IT HAS A BEGINNING, A MIDDLE, AND AN END, AND A PROPER UNDERSTANDING OF THIS WILL HELP YOU TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE YOUR LIFE
The butterfly's journey, the butterfly's life, the story of growth and transformation
Butterflies are nature's wonders, captivating us with their vibrant wings and graceful flight.
But before they reach this beauty stage, they undergo a fascinating transformation called metamorphosis.
In this article, we'll explore the butterfly's four-stage life cycle: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult butterfly.
How A Caterpillar Becomes A Butterfly (The Dodo).
Stage 1: The Egg
The butterfly's life begins as a tiny egg, usually laid on the underside of a leaf. Female butterflies carefully select host plants where their offspring will thrive. Some species lay a single egg, while others deposit clusters.
These eggs are incredibly small—often no larger than a pinhead—and may vary in shape and color depending on the butterfly species. After a few days to a couple of weeks, the egg hatches, and the next exciting phase begins.
Stage 2: The Caterpillar (Larva)
Once the egg hatches, a small caterpillar, also known as a larva, emerges. Its primary goal? To eat—and eat a lot! Caterpillars are voracious eaters, consuming leaves from their host plants. As they grow, they shed their skin several times in a process called molting. This stage can last a few weeks, during which the caterpillar prepares itself for the incredible transformation ahead.
Fun fact: Some caterpillars grow up to 100 times their original size before entering the next stage!
Stage 3: The Chrysalis (Pupa)
After reaching its full size, the caterpillar stops eating and finds a safe spot to form a chrysalis or pupa. This stage looks like the insect is resting, but on the inside, it's undergoing one of nature's most miraculous transformations. Within the chrysalis, the caterpillar's body is broken down and reassembled into the structure of an adult butterfly. This process may take a few days to several weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions.
Stage 4: The Adult Butterfly
Finally, the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis, but it's not ready to fly just yet. Its wings are soft and folded. The butterfly pumps fluid into its wings to expand them, then rests until they dry and harden. Once the wings are strong, the butterfly takes flight in search of food, mates, and a place to lay eggs, starting the life cycle all over again.
Adult butterflies live anywhere from a few weeks to several months. During this time, they pollinate flowers and serve as an essential part of many ecosystems.
Nature's beautiful cycle and you.
"The butterfly's life cycle is a story of growth and transformation. It reminds us that even the smallest beginnings can lead to breathtaking results. Every stage is crucial in keeping this magical insect's journey alive from a tiny egg to a dazzling adult." - Chandan Singh, Animal Team
Listen to this, anywhere you are right now in your life journey, you have got to believe in your own somebodies, believe in your journey, believe in your transformation journey, believe in your metamorphosis.
As I sum up this inspirational insight, I did leave you with a question and a pointer to the answer. CAN A BUTTERFLY RETURN TO PUPA?
The answer is, generously NO. Same you can never return to your mother's womb, and choose a different background or circumstance of birth. But you can be metamorphosed into a better, healthier, happier, richer, and stronger you through personal development and training.
Till I come your way again, Benson Adima Remain Your In-house Person Development Coach & Author. Our latest book is on this link: HERE
SUCCESS BREATH with BENSON ADIMA.
How You Can Increase Your Influence at Work
Are you looking to make a greater impact at your job? Do you want to be seen as a leader and a trusted voice in your organization? Increasing your influence at work can help you achieve your goals and advance your career. Here are some strategies to help you boost your influence:
1. Build Strong Relationships
Building strong relationships with your colleagues, supervisors, and clients is crucial to increasing your influence. Take the time to get to know them, understand their needs, and offer help when needed.
2. Develop Your Expertise
Establish yourself as an expert in your field by staying up-to-date with industry trends, attending conferences, and pursuing certifications. Share your knowledge with others to demonstrate your expertise.
3. Communicate Effectively
Develop strong communication skills to articulate your ideas clearly and persuasively. Practice active listening and ask thoughtful questions to show you value others' input.
4. Take Initiative
Don't wait for opportunities to come to you - create your own. Volunteer for projects, offer solutions to problems, and take calculated risks to demonstrate your capabilities.
5. Be Authentic and Trustworthy
Be true to yourself and others. Build trust by being transparent, reliable, and consistent in your words and actions.
6. Network Strategically
Build relationships with key stakeholders, including decision-makers and influencers. Attend networking events, join professional organizations, and connect with people on LinkedIn.
7. Lead by Example
Demonstrate the behaviors and work ethic you want to see in others. Show enthusiasm, positivity, and a commitment to excellence.
8. Be Open to Feedback
Show that you value others' input by seeking feedback and acting on it. This demonstrates your willingness to learn and grow.
9. Build your personal brand.
You need to build your personal brand to increase your influence at work. Your personal brand is the image you project to others based on your skills, experience, values, and personality. To develop your personal brand, you can start by defining your strengths and values and then communicating them consistently to others.
10. Be a problem solver
Finally, to be influential, you need to be seen as a problem solver and not a problem to be solved. That means you must focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. When you solve problems, you demonstrate your value to the organization and gain the trust of your colleague
In Conclusion, by implementing these strategies, you can increase your influence at work, build stronger relationships, and advance your career.
Remember, influence is not about manipulating others, but about earning their respect and trust. You can increase your influence and advance your career by building a solid network, speaking up, being a problem solver, having good communication skills, and building your brand.
UNTIL I COME YOUR WAY AGAIN, MEET THE AUTHOR HERE OR HERE
DEAR, THIS COULD GET YOU THE BIGGEST ASYMMETRICAL RETURN
DEAR, THIS COULD GET YOU THE BIGGEST ASYMMETRICAL RETURN
If you want to grow your income and net worth, talk to strangers.
Talking to strangers can give you the biggest asymmetrical return… more than anything else you do.
That means you give something one ounce of effort and get back 1,000 times what you put in.
The truth is, you are one human relationship away from getting what you want in life.
Do you know the story about Mark Zuckerberg's business partner?
When Zuckerberg was in college, most people in his dorm didn't talk to him, but there was one guy who did.
This person didn't specifically seek out Zuckerberg for conversation. He was sociable with everyone.
But, they did become friends…
And when Zuckerberg was going to launch Facebook, this friend put in $15,000.
This friend is Eduardo Saverin, and that money turned into more than $15 billion dollars!
Talk about a good return on investment!
Google it, you won't believe it. The IRS even made something called "The Saverin Rule" after Eduardo Saverin left the US, took his money, and renounced his citizenship so he wouldn't have to pay taxes.
Now, I'm not saying you're going to meet and connect with someone like Mark Zuckerberg… but making friends with the right stranger has the power to help you scale.
One of my mentors once said: "Guy, always be social."
We all have times when we don't feel like being social. It's normal. Just know that not being social has probably already robbed you of millions of naira.
Being shy, awkward, or having social anxiety aren't valid excuses anymore. Elon Musk isn't what you would call a "social butterfly".
He still got Arnold Schwarzenegger to buy one of the first Tesla Roadsters. He still goes on Joe Rogan and talks for 3 hours. He still gives interviews. He is still social.
Someone is asking, how do I start a conversation with a stranger, I smile a bit because it is no problem at all, start with a few points:
How to start a conversation
Project positivity.
Start with a compliment.
Ask for lunch advice.
Introduce yourself.
Wear a peacock piece.
Ask for advice.
Crack a joke.
Ask plenty of questions.
For example, you might have a colleague who loves jokes and another who prefers to focus on work only. Basically, read the room!
THE QUESTION IS, HOW SOCIABLE ARE YOU?
ACT IMMEDIATELY, NOT WHEN IT’S TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING?
ACT IMMEDIATELY, NOT WHEN IT’S TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING?
In The Howling Dog Story, Tim just moved to a new neighborhood recently. He likes his house and the environment, but there is one thing he doesn’t get.
His neighbor has a dog that keeps howling non-stop. Day in, day out.
Initially, Tim thinks that the dog is just going through a phase, so he ignores the howls, thinking it will eventually stop howling.
But the dog continues to howl.
One day passes. Nothing changes. Two days pass. Still howling. Three days. Five days. A week. A month. Still howling, with no signs of stopping.
Finally, Tim can’t stand it anymore. One fine day, he walks over to his neighbor’s house to see what is going on.
Sure enough, there is the dog, sitting on the front porch, howling pitifully to whoever is walking by.
On the other hand, his neighbor is sitting on his bench in the front yard, leisurely reading his newspapers and sipping a cup of coffee.
So Tim walks up to his neighbor.
Tim: “Hi, I’m Tim. I live next door.”
Neighbor: “Hi! I’m John.”
Tim: “Is this your dog by any chance? It’s been howling non-stop.”
John: “Oh yes he is. Sorry about the howls, I hope they are not bothering you.”
Tim: “Why does he keep howling?”
John: “Well… that’s cause he’s sitting on a nail.”
Tim: “Sitting on a nail??”
Tim looks at the dog, bewildered.
“Alright… why doesn’t he just get away from the nail?”
“Well, Tim……,” John takes a slow sip of his coffee before replying. “…… That’s because he doesn’t find it painful enough yet.”
Are there nails in your life that are poking you?
Some of us have career nails. Jobs we don’t enjoy. Work that drags us down and sucks our life away.
Some of us have relationship nails. Not being able to find our desired partner. Or being with someone but not sure if he/she is the one. A partner who is domineering/ insensitive/ uncaring/ emotionally unavailable.
Some of us have academic nails. Increasing backlog in school work that we need to catch up on. Upcoming exams we’ve not studied for. Pending projects and assessments that we’ve not completed yet. Revision that should have been completed long ago, but isn’t.
Some of us have nails in terms of health. Bad eating habits cause weight gain. Too much junk food, not enough healthy food. Drinking soda when it’s bad for us. Eating too much flour, oil, and sugar. A bad posture that we should be correcting.
Some of us have dream nails. Dreams that we really want to pursue but aren’t for some reason. Dreams that we have been thinking about for a while but haven’t acted on yet. Plans that we are scared to see unfulfilled when it’s too late for us to do anything.
And there are so many other nails. Friendship nails. Family nails. Passion nails.
Each of us has different nails poking us. Some of us have a couple of big nails that poke us every once in a while. Some of us have several small nails that poke on and off. Some of us have multiple big and small nails that poke repeatedly. Rather than take action, we usually just sit and howl. It's because the pokes aren’t painful enough.
Are there any nails in your life that you are not addressing?
Why? Is it because they are not painful enough yet?
What are you going to do about them?
Will you act immediately or only do something when it’s too late to do anything?
Don’t wait until the nails really hurt before you take action. When that happens, that usually means it’s too late to do anything.
Why Free Things Never Make You Successful
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