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How to Become Influential in the World

2010-08-22T22:53:09Z

I wish I am an influential person in my village if not in the world. Previously, when I was in elementary and high school, I desperately wished to be influential among my class mates. Those days, the most influential pupil was the class prefect.

If you are like me, probably you wish and pray tirelessly to become an influential person in the circle of your friends, your place of work, church etc.

Actually, you could be consciously or unconsciously devising techniques and methods that you think will make you influential. Some of the techniques that you are crafting include; adding certificates to your already starring CV, putting on expensive clothes, looking for promotion etc. Some are saving every coin to become rich and inturn become influential. Everyone is designing his own way to become influential. The main issue, even if we deny it is that, we would like to be influential in one way or another.

What makes a person influential in the World?
In April this year, Time Magazine compiled a list of 100 most influential people in the World. One name that caught my attention is Didier Drogba. He is arguably the best football striker in Africa. Drogba who is popularly referred to as Drog sent my thinking into a spin. I wondered, what really made him an hero and for that matter appear in the same list with big names like Bill Clinton, President Barrack Obama and Oprah Winfey.

I was not envious of Drog, but I wished to pin down his traits so that I can copy them and as well become influential.

I humbly narrowed down few points that makes Drogba a Star.

1. He is Himself/Unique
When you mention Drogba he sends nerves of many people bulging. He has something that almost everybody admires. Probably it is his tall, dark and well build body posture. However, when you look closer, you will notice he has something admirable, doing things uniquely. This uniqueness makes him a darling of many especially kids.

His hair style, the way he celebrates goals, the way he pushes and shoves defenders etc. Drog remains himself, he is not a copy cat.

2. Stand up to be counted

It is said that he has done a lot to ensure there is peace in his war ravaged home country. In 2006 World cup, he single handedly steered his teammates to write a statement to his home country to allow peace to prevail. At that time, Ivory coast was in crisis.

If he is not fighting for peace, he is offering money to ensure there is healthy. When 22 Ivorians were killed scrambling to see their heroes play, Drogba donated all proceeds from his endorsement to build a hospital in his country.

This shows selfishness has no room in become influential. Actually such devotion of Dgroba and many others has inspired me to do a few small things. e.g. creating a website (www.joshuaarimi.com) to offer candidates in Kenya access to all past KCSE exam papers and their marking schemes absolutely for free. If they pass their exams, they will be successful and build a better Kenya. If you want to visit the website click www.joshuaarimi.com

3.Strength
One feature that makes Drogba a very successful striker is his strength. To be influential in the world you need strength. Not necessarily physical, but mental, spiritual and emotional. Example of heroes that have revolutionalised the world by their strength include Martin Luther King, Gadhi, Mandela among many others.

To be influential in the world, strength is necessary even in the face of death.

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16 Lessons I have learnt for being a Father for 1 Year-Part 2

2010-08-16T09:30:48Z

In my previous post, I wrote the first part of 16 lessons that I have learnt as a father for the last one year. If you did not have a chance to read it, you can access that first section by clicking here.

9. Sharing. Become friends with parents with slightly older babies than yours. They will become handy especially with clothes that their babies have discard due to size. Normally, babies outgrow their clothes very fast and discard decent clothes in very good condition. Use those clothes instead of buying new ones.

10. Car or Taxi. If you do not have a car, either look for a trusted friend who has a car and lives nearby, or else have a number of a reliable taxi driver. You never know, you may need to be driven at the middle of the night. Please do not ask me why. Just be prepared.

11. Liquid. Always have extra bucks (I mean good cash) in your wallet or in the house. One day we visited relatives, the darkness fell quite fast and we had the baby and no car. We had to look for a taxi. Because it was at night, it ended costing us five times the normal price.

12. Source of joy and laughter. A baby can create an incredible atmosphere which is otherwise elusive. I come home stressed by the job and the first thing that meets me is a smiling face of a 10 months old with two protruding teeth. I am telling you, it sends me into a smiling frenzy. But if its a maid that looks after your baby, you may never experience such moments. If you have a house help, make sure you create moments to spend with your baby especially after work.

13. Bonding time. Our son helps us (me and my wife) to have a great bonding time. Taking him for a walk creates a great time to share memorable moments.

14. Savings. I was forced to start saving for our son quite early, actually we started the moment we decided to have one. This is the biggest lesson I have learnt as father.

I am now looking at the best education insurance policy. I am considering BRITAK (British American Insurance Kenya). Please advice me if you know of a better alternative.

15. Baby sit. Finally, mind for you baby yourself with your partner. It is even advisable to take a leave from work to look after your baby. It will give you sense of belonging and responsibility. You do not want your son or daughter to call you uncle or aunt when she is ten years old.

16.The obvious. I also learnt the obvious stuff like changing diapers, bathing the baby, dressing, feeding him, shaving etc.

Simple things you should have as a father.

1. A good Video camera
Similar to the digital camera, video camera will help you capture when your baby will be making the first roll, the first crawl, the first feeding with the bottle. All these are memories to remember.

I use a simple normal resolution Sony handy cam DCR SX 50. Previously, I was using Sony DCR HC 42, it broke down. Sony video cameras always give me a decent video image even after editing.

2. A clinical thermometer
With babies, you never know fever may be un-invited guest. Thermometer is an essential accessory to have in the house. Instead of placing your hand on the forehead to feel the baby’s body temperature, use a good clinical thermometer. These days there are digital thermometers replacing the old mercury based thermometers. Technology is advancing, there are also those can check temperature from the ear. Thermometer can help save a life.

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