Recently, I read a tweet by John C. Maxwell, and it goes thus:
“If I know who I am, it gives me identity, if I accept who I am, it gives me security. If I enjoy who I am it gives me fulfilment”
This article is about one of the principles that helped me get through the first few years of my career. It’s called “The Power of Desire” by Napoleon Hill, and I’ll explain it with a lot of anecdotes.
The first anecdote goes like this: I was about to start my weekly Telegram session, and then there was a power outage. We tried to save the situation by turning on our power generator, but it would not stay turned on.
After that, what did I do? I went straight to bed because I was in such a bad mood. When I think back on that night, I believe my reaction was pretty much the same as anyone else’s, although it was something I wanted to do. That story leads me to the subject of this article, “The Power of Desire.” It is the springboard for all forms of success.
You see, I’ve been undergoing a lot of personal development lately. Virtual seminars, masterclasses, and a bootcamp were among the events I attended. I also hired a brand coach to help me establish myself as an authority in my field. And the only reason I am doing all of this is to become the best version of myself.
So, what exactly am I trying to say with all of this? This is it: you will not be able to do anything if you do not desire it. I mean, you have to want to achieve it, and be obsessed with it.
My ultimate goal is to be the best version of myself; an incubator for world-class professionals; and the entire world must know me as such. As a result, I am doing everything I can to achieve this goal.
Some time ago, I decided to read Napoleon Hill’s classic book, “Think and Grow Rich.” Now that I have hindsight, I should have read it sooner. Do you know why? It contains some of the most profound lessons on success ever written for a book published in the early twentieth century. I recommend that you read it. I guarantee you will never do many things the same way again.
As I read about Edwin C. Barnes’ life and how he came to be partners with Thomas Edison, I finally put a name to the power that drove me to Lagos Island, even though I could have built my life and career on the mainland of Lagos, Nigeria!
According to Napoleon Hill, Barnes had only one consuming obsession, a burning desire, when he left his home state to work for Edison in New Jersey. What is that, you might wonder? Become a business associate of Thomas Edison.
As a young lawyer, my ambition was to work in one of Nigeria’s top law firms, so I could not job hunt on the Lagos mainland because the top law firms were all on Lagos Island. So, what exactly did I do? I would leave my home on the Lagos mainland and travel to Lagos Island to look for a job. And that is how I got my start working for one of Nigeria’s leading law firms.
I started in a small firm on Military Street, Onikan, moved to Payne Crescent in Apapa, then Broad Street in Marina, and Perchstone & Graeys Close, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. This journey took me three years, and I succeeded because, like Barnes, I chose a definite goal and backed it up with all my energy, willpower, and effort.
While working on Military Street and Payne Crescent, I began to act like a lawyer who worked for one of the top law firms. I am sure you are wondering why I did that. The answer is simple. I wanted to keep my goal in mind and retain the right mindset.
So, for example, on Military Street, the firm had a secretary who typed for everyone, including lawyers. Only one desktop computer and an electric typewriter were available to us, but I would insist on typing my documents.
First, I had learned how to use a computer when living in eastern Nigeria, and second, I understood that secretaries didn’t type for lawyers in the firms where I wanted to work, except for the managing partner or partner, presumably.
On Payne Crescent, I used the same strategy. I typed everything myself. And so when I finally got into the type of firm I desired, it was not only easy for me to adjust, but I also became highly skilled at using the computer.
What I did in those two firms reminds me of the classic tale of a magnificent War Horse that was waiting for its true owner.
A farmer came upon the horse one day and inquired, “Would you like to be my horse?”. Shaking his head, the horse asked, “How could I be relegated to such difficult work?”. And the farmer left.
Then a merchant approached and inquired, “Would you like to be my horse?” Shaking his head, the horse remarked. “I am a War Horse. How can I be reduced to only hauling goods?”. And the merchant walked away.
Then a low-ranking soldier approached the horse and asked the same question, “Would you like to be my horse?”. Shaking his head, the horse remarked, “I am a mighty War Horse, fit solely for an Emperor. How can I be subjected to fighting in such trifling battles?”. So, the soldier left.
Then, one day, a powerful Emperor approached the War Horse and asked, “You are the horse I have been searching for my entire life. Are you familiar with our country’s landscapes?”. No, said the horse.
Do you have any combat experience? No, said the horse.
“What use will you be to me if you don’t know our country’s lands or have any combat experience?” the emperor asked. How can I put my faith in you with my life?
I am strong and can run fast, the War Horse said. So, the Emperor put the War Horse to the test by having it race across a large field. The horse grew fatigued on the way back, and the Emperor fled before the War Horse could even approach him.
Now here’s the thing: if the War Horse had been willing to cooperate with the farmer, it would have developed the strength to sprint across the wide field. If the War Horse had agreed to deliver goods for the merchant, it would have been familiar with the country’s terrain. Finally, if the War Horse had been less conceited, it would have accompanied the low-rank soldier and gained battalion experience.
So, what is the moral of this story? I’d say it is that it’s fine if what you’re doing right now or what you’re offered doesn’t match the goals you’ve set for yourself. Don’t despise it! Instead, think of it as a chance to learn.
Let’s face it, I’ve had my fair share of joblessness. However, despite the difficulties, I refused to lose sight of my goal. Instead, as I looked for paid work, I worked for myself and resumed my rested newsletter until I found what I wanted. Why do you think I did all these? The answer is simple. I wanted to make it easier for me to be the preferred candidate for the firms I was applying to.
Minus the office trappings, with everything I was doing at the time, I was already like one of the lawyers at the firm I wanted to work. And this was evident in the types of interviews I had.
Then my writing improved tremendously because of the newsletter. Indeed, it was my ability to write that eventually landed me a job at one of Nigeria’s top law firms at the time.
The question now is, what are you doing in your current workplace? Are you putting up with your current job or using it as a testing ground for where you want to go?
If you’re unemployed, what have you been up to? How many articles or blog posts have you written and published? How active are you on social media? What kinds of social media conversations are you having?
You see, living your dreams isn’t something you can wish for. It must be something you desire. It’s up to you to become fixated on it and back it up with action.
Start acting as if you’ve already arrived by taking the lead and excelling in a specific area. Then hold yourself accountable to someone for achieving that goal. Get a coach or mentor. Don’t give up. Whatever comes your way, stay focused. Keep your eyes on the ball!
Allowing yourself escape routes is not a good idea. You are doing yourself a disservice if you do this. If you don’t and you stay focused on your goals, you’ll have what Napoleon Hill called a “burning desire to win.”
Edwin Barnes was able to notice and seize the opportunity he had been waiting for to realize his ambition by remaining in this state of mind. Like the story of Barnes becoming Thomas Edison’s business associate, I believe my story is also a great example of the power of desire. When you read about Barnes, you’ll see that Barnes and I didn’t let our burning desires go unfulfilled. It had to be a top law firm or nothing for me! For Barnes, becoming Thomas Edison’s associate was either all or nothing.
Finally, I’ll leave you with this story. A long time ago, a warrior had to make a difficult decision when he was preparing to take his army into combat against a formidable foe with far more warriors than he had.
Guess what he did? He sailed to the enemy’s nation in boats with all of his troops, and when they arrived on the enemy’s shore, he ordered his troops to set the boats on fire.
Then he made a shocking statement: “You can see the boats catching fire. That means that unless we win, we will not be able to escape these shores alive. We have no choice but to win or perish!” What do you think happened with that kind of declaration? Of course, they won!
So, my final thought is this. If you want to accomplish anything, you must be willing to destroy your “ship” and shut off all escape routes like that warrior.
Only by doing so can you ensure that you stay in the right frame of mind. Napoleon calls this a “burning desire to win”. So, I encourage you to use the power of desire today. Develop and maintain a burning desire to win.
Listen to the podcast version of this article here, and please share, comment, and follow me on social media at @coachbso.
