Category: Character development

  • Dead Horse Theory

    Dead Horse Theory

    The Dead Horse Theory is a metaphor for recognizing when a project, strategy, or effort is no longer viable and knowing when to stop investing time, money, and resources into it. Despite clear signs of failure, people often continue to push forward due to sunk costs, fear of change, or misplaced optimism.



    Real-Life Examples of the Dead Horse Theory in Action:

    1. Business Failures

    BlackBerry’s Decline: BlackBerry dominated the smartphone market in the early 2000s but refused to adapt to touchscreen technology and app-driven ecosystems. Despite declining sales and losing market share to Apple and Android, they kept pushing keyboard-based phones until it was too late. Had they pivoted earlier, they might have remained competitive.

    Kodak’s Film Business: Kodak invented digital photography but stuck to film because it was their core business. Instead of adapting, they kept investing in film production until digital cameras and smartphones rendered them obsolete.


    2. Personal Careers

    Sticking to a Career That No Longer Fits: Someone who has been working in an industry for years but feels unhappy and stagnant may stay simply because they have invested time and effort. If the career no longer aligns with their goals, it’s better to pivot than to continue in frustration.

    Refusing to Learn New Skills: A professional who ignores emerging trends (like AI and automation) may find their skills outdated. If they refuse to upskill, they are essentially riding a dead horse while the industry moves on.


    3. Relationships and Friendships

    Toxic or One-Sided Relationships: If a friendship or romantic relationship consistently drains energy, lacks respect, or has no growth, continuing to invest in it is like riding a dead horse. The wiser choice is to let go and move on.

    Partnerships That No Longer Work: Business partnerships sometimes reach a point where visions no longer align. Instead of forcing an unproductive relationship, ending it and exploring new opportunities is often the best course.


    4. Government and Policies

    Failed Policies That Continue: Governments sometimes hold on to outdated policies despite evidence that they don’t work. For example, the U.S. war on drugs has cost billions, yet drug use and related crimes persist. Rather than reevaluating the strategy, resources continue to be poured into ineffective methods.

    Soviet Union’s Economic Model: The USSR continued to operate under a rigid centralized economy even when it was clear it was failing. Instead of reforming earlier, they held on until the entire system collapsed.


    5. Technology and Products

    Microsoft’s Windows Phone: Microsoft entered the smartphone market late, competing against iOS and Android. Even after it was clear that app developers were not supporting the platform, they kept pushing the Windows Phone until they finally abandoned it in 2017.

    MySpace’s Resistance to Change: MySpace was once the leading social media platform, but instead of evolving with user expectations like Facebook did, they held on to outdated models and eventually became irrelevant.



    Key Takeaway

    Recognizing a “dead horse” early and making the tough decision to move on is essential for success. Whether in business, relationships, or personal growth, holding on too long to a failing strategy wastes valuable time and resources. Knowing when to pivot, adapt, or quit is a crucial skill for long-term success.

    A man pulling up a dead horse

  • How I Adapted to the Changes Brought by Covid-19 Pandemic

    How have you adapted to the changes brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic?

    My freelancing income increased by more than 200% during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    I was able to adapt to the stay-at-home scenarios of the Covid-19 pandemic by writing as much as I can.

    I learned new specialties and discovered new abilities.

    In Nigeria, it was a bit tough. But as many businesses go online to serve their customers, we survived by working from home.

  • Embark on a transformative journey with “Youth of Substance: A Guide to Purposeful Living,” authored by Saint David. 

    Embark on a transformative journey with “Youth of Substance: A Guide to Purposeful Living,” authored by Saint David. 

    A Youth of Substance

    In a world where distractions abound, this book offers a compass for young individuals striving to lead meaningful lives.

    •Discover Your Potential:

    Uncover the latent potential within you. This guidebook equips you with insights, practical advice, and real-world examples to channel your unique qualities and passions toward creating a life of significance.

    •Overcome Challenges:

    Challenges are inevitable, but as a Youth of Substance, you’ll learn to navigate them adeptly. Gain strategies to conquer adversity, make informed choices, and remain committed to your core values despite societal pressures.

    •Lead with Impact:

    True leadership transcends titles; it’s about making a positive impact. Delve into leadership principles that focus on leading by example, serving others, and leaving a lasting imprint on your community.

    •Embrace Authenticity:

    You’re not just a statistic; you’re an individual with the power to shape your destiny. Learn to stand out authentically, celebrating your uniqueness and contributing your distinct voice to the world.

    •Transform through Commitment:

    Experience the transformative power of commitment to personal growth, ethical living, and a higher purpose. Cultivate character, resilience, and a strong moral compass.

    •Create Meaningful Impact:

    Your presence here is intentional. Explore how to influence your surroundings, from effecting positive change to being a source of light in a world that seeks it.

    Whether you’re a young person seeking purpose, a guiding mentor, or anyone eager to make a positive impact, “Youth of Substance” serves as your blueprint for a life that matters. Let these pages inspire, challenge, and empower you to embark on a journey of substance and purpose. Your voyage toward becoming a Youth of Substance commences now.

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  • How often do I say no

    How often do you say “no” to things that would interfere with your goals?

    I say no to such things all the time. But there are some situations when I need to turn around and lend a helping hand.

  • Exploring Hidden Proficiencies and Aspirations: A Glimpse into Unseen Skills

    Exploring Hidden Proficiencies and Aspirations: A Glimpse into Unseen Skills

    What’s a secret skill or ability you have or wish you had?

    My Skills set

    In the realm of personal talents and aspirations, we often find ourselves harboring secret skills and latent abilities that shape our perspectives and ambitions. Just as the facets of a diamond remain concealed until the right light reveals their brilliance, our secret skills often remain tucked away until circumstances unveil them.

    As a freelance content writer, I have observed the profound impact of one’s concealed abilities in shaping unique approaches to work and life.

    For me, my covert skill resides in the realm of perfectionism. This trait influences my approach to breaking down complex subjects into simpler, more digestible forms. Much like a sculptor who chisels away excess stone to reveal the masterpiece within, I meticulously carve out intricate concepts to create easy-to-understand explanations.

    This skill allows me to bridge the gap between intricate topics and a wider audience, fostering clarity and understanding even in the most complex subject matter.

    Yet, pondering the question of a desired skill unveils aspirations that transcend the boundaries of the present. The allure of understanding all languages, including those spoken by animals and the whispers of nature, emerges as a wish. Imagining the ability to communicate with the creatures that inhabit our world and decipher the symphony of the natural world fills the mind with wonder.

    Such a skill could unlock untold mysteries and deepen our connection with the world around us, unraveling the enigmatic conversations that echo beyond human comprehension.

    Furthermore, empathy stands as a virtue I aspire to amplify. Stepping into the shoes of others and comprehending their struggles and triumphs, their hopes and fears, is a gift that can transform relationships and foster meaningful connections. As a writer, empathetic prowess would enable me to craft content that resonates on a profound level, addressing the very questions that linger in the minds of readers.

    This secret ambition speaks to the essence of humanity, recognizing that understanding and compassion are the cornerstones of effective communication.

    In this exploration of secret skills and desired abilities, it becomes evident that these hidden facets are not mere whims, but rather reflections of our innermost desires and values. They mold our identities as professionals, shaping the ways we approach challenges and create solutions.

    As a content creator, my proficiency in simplifying complexity, my aspiration to grasp the languages of all life forms, and my longing to amplify empathy all converge to create a tapestry of growth and evolution.

    In conclusion, the tapestry of secret skills and aspirational abilities weaves a narrative unique to each individual. As a freelance content writer, the skill of breaking down complexities, the wish for universal language comprehension, and the aspiration for heightened empathy collectively define my journey.

    This exploration invites us all to unveil the hidden facets within ourselves, acknowledging that our most treasured skills often lie just beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to shine.

  • How To Live A Life Of Fruitfulness

    How To Live A Life Of Fruitfulness

    A fruitful youth

    By their fruit, you will recognize them.

    “….. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”
    Matthew 7: 20 (NIV) New International Versions

    Just as you cannot hide a light in the darkness, you cannot hide your fruitfulness. You do not have to say it for people to see it.

    Jesus says in John 15:5 that: “I am the vine and ye are the branches: He that abideth in me and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (KJV) King James Version

    Therefore, the secret of fruitfulness is to become a Born-again Christian. You are to abide in the True Vine, the Lord Jesus Christ.

    Thus, to be fruitful, you must have an intimate relationship with God. Your spiritual journey to become a youth of substance; started by first bearing the fruit of repentance.

    God is interested in your spiritual fruitfulness, in your physical fruitfulness and in your material fruitfulness. God in Jeremiah 17: 8 says:

    “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters…her leaf shall be green…neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (KJV) King James Version

    In Psalm 92: 12, God also says that “The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon,”

    A youth of Substance is a fruit bearing youth. You are not just a young person, but also a youth full of zeal to bear the fruit of souls. You are in this world to make a difference.

    “I ‘am the true vine, and my father is Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
    the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit. While every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more FRUITFUL.”
    John 15: 1-2 (NIV) New International Version.

    You are to win souls for God. You are alive today because Jesus is hoping to see you bear fruit. A youth that bears no fruit and has no godly substance is not part of the True Vine.

    You are a fruit-yielding branch of the True VINE. A youth of substance bears fruit by leading others unto God.

    Another fruit you need to bear is the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit include, according to Galatians 5: 22-23, love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.

    Many youths are not bearing fruit because they are disobedience; they refuse to obey God’s command. Jesus says in John 15: 7-8 that,

    “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciple.”

    Jesus again says in John 8: 31 that, “…If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.”

    Thus, your fruitfulness simply lies in living a life of obedience to the word of God.
    To become a fruit-bearing youth, you need to be part of the True Vine. You need to be rooted in Christ alone.

    When a branch is not fulfilling its purpose of bearing fruit, the branch is be cut and another will take its place. John the Baptist told the Jewish religious leader of his days that,
    “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.” Luke 3; 9 (KJV) King James Version.

    When you begin to bear fruit, God will continue to prune you by purging you of all impurities so that you can bear more fruits.

    You will discover that according to Romans 8: 28 that “All things work together for good to them that love God and are called according to His purpose.”

    I have a question for you, have you been living a life of fruitfulness? If your answer is yes, leave a comment below.

    If your answer is No, leave a comment below.