Mindset: Unrelenting.
Some of my most treasured memories are the ones from my earlier adulthood. It was the period I was still trying to discover myself as a person and most times during the period, I looked to those around me for clues and direction. Many times, it was frustrating to me that I didn't have life figured out and my biggest fear then was the fear of what lay ahead of me in life. But that's not where I am going with this article.
A fond memory I have is with a friend and former classmate of mine, Emeke. He would invite me then with his family for fishing expeditions at one of Africa's biggest agricultural institutes. I was classmates with his brother (Ngozi) in junior secondary school, and his father knew my uncle well at their place of work so it was easy for me to feel at home with the family.
I used to look forward to those Saturdays because the fishing experience was thrilling for me. Even for the few occasions when we never made a catch, I still had fun to the fullest.
Many years later, thinking about the experience, it made me appreciate actual fishermen whose only job is catching and selling fish for a living. The fact that they are not sure to catch any fish, but would still get up in the morning, get ready and go out on their boats to cast their nets is always an inspiring thought in my mind.
Recently, someone I know (who happens to be a foreigner), said that one of his biggest inspirations is seeing people on the streets of Lagos hustle to make ends meet. Explaining further, he said the hope that street traders have, that makes them sprint after vehicles (sometimes at top speed, in scalding, hot sun, sometimes without footwear), in hope of making a sale in nothing but pure inspiration to him.
Anytime a hunter packs his hunting bag and slings his rifle over his shoulder to head out for hunting, it is not as if he has kept any animals waiting for him...he is only being hopeful that his outing will yield game for him to bring back home. Even when he comes back without any kill, he would still get his hunting paraphernalia ready for his next expedition. He always would. The failure of one outing is never going to be enough to discourage him from going out for the next hunting expedition.
As I reflected on this mindset of a fisherman and a hunter, I realized that the mindset is powerful lesson. How many times have we embarked on a project, pursued a goal, or chased a dream, only to face disappointment, rejection, or failure? It's easy to get discouraged, to lose motivation, and to give up.
But the hunter's mindset tells us that success is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. It's about getting back up, dusting ourselves off, and trying again. It's about being hopeful, even in the face of uncertainty. It's about persistence, perseverance, and determination.
So, the next time you're faced with a setback, remember the hunter's mindset. Don't give up, don't lose faith, and don't lose sight of your goals. Instead, get back out there, try again, and keep pushing forward. As a Japanese proverb goes, "fall down seven times, stand up eight." Embody the hunter's mindset and keep keeping on, no matter what the obstacles are.
The wind may blow in your favour, you catch some of it in your sail and get the speed that you need - something that would have been totally impossible if your boat had not been on the water.
The stars will not always align. The conditions will not always be at optimum. There is never going to be the perfect time. Just do it. Whether you feel ready or not.
The opportunities will come; but when you are not in the position to catch them when they do, you will never realise that they have come and gone. The only time you can catch the wind in your sail is if your boat is out there on the waters in the first place.