An optometrist, Dr. Chigaemezu Edward, has charged Nigerians, especially the youth that they are the deciding factor in whatever they achieve in the current challenging socio-economic situation in the country.
“As an individual, you are the deciding factor in your life’s story. Only you get to say how your story ends and what it turns out to be. This means that, with every step you take, you must be deliberate and intentional. You don’t get what you want by sitting around and waiting for it to happen to you,” Edward said.
He charged that: “As it is with every part of you life, so it is with the kind of association you keep, because, even though we keep hearing the same thing about watching our association it seems to me like not everyone takes the appropriate steps.
“When I decided at an early age that I was going to be an optometrist. I knew what I wanted, but, I also knew what I didn’t want. This meant that I couldn’t wait for friends to choose me. I was deliberate about who I let into my life and so, I chose my friends. Because, only people who have similar visions can work together.
“You can achieve whatever you put your mind to. So, the only thing stopping you from fulfilling your goals is what you tell yourself. What better way to achieve your goal than to surround yourself with like minded individuals. Individuals that can inspire you and put your time to good use.”
Speaking further, he said: “As is the case with everything that is worth doing, one must be consistent in it. It follows, therefore, that in choosing friends, you must consistently make sure that the goals are in place.
“Change is constant and as such, individuals are subject to change. Therefore, you must be deliberate and consistent in ensuring that you and the people around you are like minded individuals.
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Edward, substantiating his claims, quoted from an author, Ogedegbe Clement, who said: “Too much association with visionless people will blur your vision until you finally lose sight of your true identity,” and Jim Rohn, who said, “You become like the five people you spend the most time with. Choose carefully, ” likewise Mark Ambrose, who submitted that: “Show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”
He also borrowed from the words of Adiela Akoo, who stated:“You imbibe your associations. Those people you closely connect with… the conversations you have… all profoundly influence your thinking and actions. You slowly become the sum of the people closest to you. Choose them wisely.”
He, then, encouraged Nigerians to use their time wisely, and invest in gainful initiatives, specially at this period when coronavirus has caused a lot of devastations to human lives and economy of nations.
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