The first time I met Mr Kelechi Amadi Obi was when I was preparing for my wedding in 2014. My wedding was organised by My Big Nigerian Wedding (it was a competition where my husband and I won a free wedding (forreal...see it HERE, HERE, even HERE sef). Mr Kelechi was the official photographer and he took some of our pre-wedding photos. When I met him for the first time I was basically blown away by how charismatic and passionate he was about everything he was talking about. He had a glint in his eye, and he would gesticulate dramatically-it was infectious! LOL. He talked about so many things, Bobo and I were so drawn into his conversations.
Fast forward to June 2016, this man had completely forgotten about me sef. We met again when we arrived Durban Airport, we were travelling in a group to South Africa. At that time I didn't realise he didn't remember me from the wedding, it was when we began talking again that he shared that he has been watching some of my vlogs-I had to remind him that "bros, so you no remember say na you give me free photos for my wedding ni?" He was shocked! That's how we reconnected. See life.
We had breakfast together one day on our trip and he spoke fondly about his young son Somto and how he was going to encourage him to start a business during the long school vacation-just to teach him the ropes about entrepreneurship. I admired that. In fact, I started writing a business plan for my 1 year old Tito in my head. We found ourselves talking about the Nigerian economy and he dropped some words of wisdom, naim I say make I share with una. I don't want to benefit alone.
LIVE BELOW YOUR MEANS
The first thing he touched on was for people to start living below their means. That one rang bell gbagaun in my head. I don't think I live above my means but I find myself spending money on things wey no make sense, so I have a bit of work to do here. If you live below your means it is easy for you to save money for vacations, a new business, or tough economies like this Buhari one everyone is talking about. This brings me to the next point...
BE TOO BUSY TO COMPLAIN
Mr Kelechi said he does not appreciate people spending so much time complaining about how bad the economy is. Who complaining eppp? The fact is: economy bad. Ehen? But do you know some people are not feeling the pinch at all? Complaining can demoralise you and make you lose focus. I actively try not to complain, I look for opportunities around me. Channel the energy and time you use complaining into doing the next point...
RE-STRATEGISE
Yes! You cannot have just 1 strategy and refuse to budge if it is not working. If you find yourself/business in a rut, then start cracking your brain on how to get out of it. Yes, times are hard, but you can take advantage of the situation; maybe you need to get a side hustle to balance things up, change your business plan. Go back to your original plan and tweak something.
I look forward to many more conversation with Mr Kelechi and I thank him for always sharing!
Ps. I no know say the man sabi rock like this HERE , check the 21:50 minute mark
I totally agree with you on the first point about living BELOW your means. I have found that a lot of Nigerians don't live that kind of lifestyle. They always want to one-up the next person, spending money that is supposed to come in, not money they already have. Honestly, it would behoove a lot of people to have a rethink about how they spend money.
ReplyDeleteVery good post.
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These are really amazing tips especially the live below your means. Too many of us are trying too hard to impress everyone that we live ABOVE our means.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
giftogwa.blogspot.com
These are actually good tips Sisi!! Being busy particularly helps and yes to always re-strategising!
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Your first point is everything, it's so accurate and speaks to me alot.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
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Aptly said, Sisi Yemmie. Went to a renowned mall in PH on my last visit to Naija, a modest-looking woman before me at the check-out counter, had a full cart and 'burnt' 80k at the spot. And I wondered whether it's not the same Nigeria they complained that economy's hard. Whether that's a month's purchase, some people are sliding through the bad economy. I know it's hard but No complain too much, just ask God for wisdom and re-strategise. http://www.bubusboulevard.com/school-fees-hike-in-nigeria/
ReplyDeleteWow! You should do more posts like this
ReplyDeleteHmm.. My dear, economies are struggling all over this world. Firstly, we are overly populated and not enough supply and demand. Plus, we are very wasteful. Our eyes are bigger than our bellies.!! We want everything quickly and easily. So.. we see the results of this in the economy. I live in U.S and trust me it is struggling too. Even the wealthy!! They cannot even relax or retire as they once used to. You see numerous elderly stars having to continue to work to maintain this Hollywood lifestyle standards. Banks are a mess with constant fees they are robbing us to hold our money without benefits!!! Overall, I just pray first and do whatever I can to survive on earth.
ReplyDeleteLiving below your means is a great strategy. Just because you can buy it doesn't mean you should own it. Thanks for these tips, Sisi. I'm on a journey to de-cluttering my life. I long to live with just what is enough, "laying aside every weight".
ReplyDeleteUncle Kelechi seems like a very bubbly person. I watched the video and he was jovial and all.
Live. Love. Laugh.
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ReplyDeleteHi dear,
ReplyDeleteI really love your blog and this post is awesome!
Thank you Sisi!
ReplyDeleteWords of wisdom, its cus of posts like this that makes sisiyemmie.com no 1 on my bookmark. Thanks for sharing sisi #sisiyemmieblogaddict#
ReplyDeleteRe-strategizing point...thats definitely for me...
ReplyDeletethank you!
I've had the opportunity of listening to Mr Kelechi speak, at TedX Lagos in 2013, and the Live Your Dreams Africa conference a few months ago. Both times, I was inspired. His passion shows (that glint in his eye) and he's quite humble. All three tips are very important, and I've been trying to work on #1. Not every Nigerian is trying to outshine the other person. I, for one, I am not an onigbese, but I'm also not good at saving. After his talk in May, I've been trying to do more than living within my means. Living within your means is good, but living below? Even better.
ReplyDeleteVery Informative tips!!! I am guilty of the second one, I have disciplined myself to focus of being productive rather than whining about the bad state of the economy.
ReplyDeleteNice one sisiyemmie,ur blog is my number 1,others na jare.
ReplyDeletelike your writing style. unique voice.
ReplyDeletehello sisiyemmie, mehn am a big fan, recently started watching you and I love love love yur family.
ReplyDeleteI liked the last point he made. Sometimes, you need to re-strategize. Interesting.
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hmmn, simple buh great advice. thanks ma
ReplyDeleteNumber one is just what I need right now.
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Get new strategies O
ReplyDeletePray, plan and restrategise
Also use social media
Put your email and phone number so people can reach you.
Mr Kelechi is a wise man indeed! Thanks for sharing. Much needed reminder. Recently had a talk with my grandfather and his words of wisdom were around the similar themes. Hope you have more encounters with Mr Kelechi we lobe these type of posts ☺
ReplyDeleteLove all 4 tips. Lol at writing BPlan in your head for Tito.
ReplyDelete"Be too busy to complain" 👌🏽
Nice!! Tanks for sharing
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nice one http://www.lawsonjamesblog.com.ng/2017/02/a-nigerian-imeime-umana-makes-history.html
ReplyDeletethis present economy challenge is to enable Nigerians think as human. is high time we stop the idea of after university degree i want to work for oil company, bank or federal government, we should start thinking as an entrepreneur that will enable us enhance job creation and economy development. let start thinking like the china country by building human capacity as a tools for economy growth.
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Who complaining help my sister? You're very right. Thanks for sharing this tips from Mr Kelechi. I'll start working on my strategies ASAP.
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