The 2024 that we all prayed and craved for is finally here.
All glory to God for making us witnesses to the dawn of the New Year which is already in its fifth day. 2024 will soon become history in eleven-plus months. Before then, we need to proactively and intentionally make the year count. Beyond prayers and New Year resolutions (often forgotten and discarded before the end of the second month), we need to be intentional about what will happen to us in 2024, when, and how. Nothing good comes by happenstance, there must be an intention, a strong desire, and an expectation. Here are some ideas of how to make the Year 2024 a glorious one, not just by prophetic declarations, but also by measured and sustained practical steps
Put God First
The God factor makes the equation of your life to be balanced on a sustainable basis. I am a living testimony of God’s faithfulness, how He truly reigns in the affairs of His people, and how He can single-handedly determine our fate. Commit your ways into His hands, trust Him, offer prayers and supplications with thanksgiving, and worship Him in spirit and truth. You cannot go wrong with God.
Know Yourself, Unveil Yourself
Most people don’t know themselves in the real sense of that word. Though they are quick to say “I know myself”, my experience in the various personal branding master classes I have facilitated, shows that they have no idea of who they are, their purpose, and what they are destined or wired to do. This patent lack of self-awareness and acute ignorance of purpose has led many to make damaging career and business decisions, and foraying into careers or businesses they are not wired for. You must embark on what we call Personal Brand Audit. That is the take-off point. The result of the audit will influence your plan and actions in the year.
If you are not making the desired progress at the expected speed, pause and do a self-evaluation. Am I doing what I am configured and empowered to do? Am I deploying my talents and resources in the best possible way? Am I suited for this career or business, or am I simply copying others? If you are finding it difficult to crack this nut, talk to God for divine inspiration. Follow that up by seeking the advice and guidance of a professional personal brand expert who will walk you through the practical steps of building a brand that is unique to you, that aligns with the purpose of God for your life, and that is predicated on your strengths.
Develop and Empower Yourself
For some people, learning stops the moment they graduate. Their common refrain is “my children will read the rest, I am done” How unfortunate this is. We only stop learning the moment we die. Learning is a life-long experience. By any means, acquire new knowledge, develop yourself, and reinforce your superpowers through reading and learning. Success that is not knowledge-driven is not sustainable. Success in career and business is predicated on what you know and how you apply that knowledge. Self-development has been made easier with the various technological platforms available to us. Virtual learning is the way to go. There are thousands of courses online that can make your year successful.
Develop a Plan of Action
Don’t fly blind in 2024. Come up with a strategic plan that incorporates your vision, mission, purpose, and objectives. Where you find yourself at the end of the year will be a function of your plan of action and how faithfully you implement it. Remember, it is a plan of ACTION, hence having a plan is not enough, it must be backed with action. Nothing moves in your life until you move. God won’t do for you what He has empowered you to do for yourself. We must not be deluded into believing that putting God first means everything will fall into place without the necessary action steps. A plan of action is a roadmap that will take you to your destination if sincerely implemented. It is a sequential schedule of the things you will do and the steps you will take to make the year favour you. Praying about it is good, working on it makes the prayer work.
Decide to be a value-adding brand
You must be someone who proactively solves problems and adds value. You must give as much as you take from people. I am not talking of money alone; give your time, talents, skills, and resources. Make people better than you meet them; make things better than you meet them. Leave a lasting positive impression on people. Let the people you encounter this year have good memories of you and their interaction with you. People make money by being innovative and creative in solving problems and meeting needs. Nobody gives you money or recognition because they like your face; you get paid for value-adding products and services. This year, decide to be a person of value and influence.
Develop a Strong, Valuable, and Strategic Network of Contacts
Nobody can successfully navigate life alone. You need people, good people. You need people of kindred spirit who share the same philosophy of life and core values as you. You must consciously build a strong network of Tier 1 contacts who can move you forward in the accomplishment of your vision and plans; people who will add value to your life and not those who will drain you emotionally after deriding and mocking your vision. Avoid vision-killers and destiny-destroyers.
Be Accountable
You need an accountability partner, someone who will constructively and lovingly criticise you and your work. You need someone who can call you to order when you are derailing. Your accountability partner is that man or woman who is sufficiently knowledgeable and independent enough to tell you the truth even when it is unpalatable to your ears. This person doesn’t have to be your family or friend. It may be someone within your professional network. He or she may be older or younger than you. What is important is that you have someone that you respect and can listen to.
To be continued
Demola is the Founder/CEO of Brandstewards, a personal and corporate branding consulting firm operating in Nigeria, USA, and the United Kingdom. Through The Brand Academy, one of his initiatives, Demola works with individuals to discover purpose and manage their brands for better influence and all-round success. Demola is an author, publisher, and trainer. He can be reached at demola@yourbrandsteward.com or ademolaakinbola@gmail.com. WhatsApp – +1 317 665 2180.
