LAST week JCI Bulawayo had a special visit from JCI International’s vice-president David Eka Junior, a Nigerian whose mission was to motivate and encourage members, as well as cement corporate, non-governmental organisations and government partnerships, which are the core of positive impact initiatives pursued by JCI under its worldwide theme, “Uniting to impact”.
Eka Junior’s tour of duty took him from the Eastern Highlands to the, “City of Kings” in Zimbabwe, which he oversees together with Bostwana, Comoros, Gambia, South Africa, Lesotho and Zambia, as one of 17 vice-presidents on the international leadership team of JCI.
During the Guest Night with JCI Bulawayo members and visitors, Eka Junior spoke on some important principles for success in life.
As we continue with the Ten Outstanding Young Persons (TOYP) search for successful individuals, in this article I will link these principles with some of JCI’s fundamental values and strategies.
Vision Though educated as a lawyer, Eka Junior shared how his vision had always been to be an entrepreneur in the oil and gas industry, which is what he is now. Everyone should develop a clear vision of who or what they desire to be — this serves as a guiding beacon as you set to work in realising set goals. It is also a great idea to write down your vision and regularly evaluate your progress towards its fulfilment, otherwise you might forget or water it down and so miss the mark. Focus One must prioritise action steps towards vision accomplishment and act with a sense of urgency, ruthlessly ranking your vision – related activities ahead of all other activities and interests that do not contribute directly to it. For instance, it may be fun to go out partying or watching sport, just like it may be nice to cosmetically spruce up your image, but such activities must never precede critical goal — tending activities.
Planning It has often been said that failing to plan is tantamount to plotting your own downfall. So plan your day, week, month and year, maintaining a diary to ensure precision and avoid omission of important actions related to your vision and mission in life. Capacity Invest in a sound education, training and continuous reading, in addition to interacting with positive and like – minded people, to build capacity and so inspire confidence, as well as ensure recognition by and trust of potential partners.
Hard work Vince Lombard said, “the price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.”
JCI members learn work ethic through availed opportunities to undertake community projects, whilst investing in their self — development, which leads to successful lifestyles.
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People JCI believes that “the brotherhood of men transcends the sovereignty of nations”, thus members often travel to events locally and sometimes internationally, to network and discuss such lofty concepts as the UN Millenium Development Goals. Success seekers associate with people whose thoughts, words, actions and preoccupations promote growth, improvement and impact.
Spiritual intelligence JCI believes that, “faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life”, and in a spirit of tolerance, unites over 200 000 people from different religious backgrounds. The common factor however is that for success one must practice piety and acknowledge the existence of a supreme being in line with their context, be it Muslim, Christian or other.
Successful Zimbabweans like Tendai Wenyika, Betty Makoni, Sabelo Sibanda, Strive Masiyiwa and Charlene Hewat demonstrated the above values, making them active citizens worthy of recognition.
TOYP progress The search for our 2014 TOYP honourees is heating up by the day. Have you nominated that outstanding person that inspires you and deserves recognition? Log onto the JCI website http://www.jci.cc/jciprograms/en/toyp for more information, or email [email protected] and request a form to nominate this person under the TOYP youth recognition programme.
About JCI Bulawayo JCI Bulawayo has been in existence since the early 90s grooming prominent leaders and is currently running under the theme, “Transformed to Transform”, in recognition of the need to develop young people so that they in turn may take responsibility and impact their communities.
We collaborate with government, the civic sector and corporates to create positive change.
If you would like to achieve personal greatness and contribute positively to society, we invite you to attend meetings every Thursday at 5.30pm at the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce offices and become a part of a “global network of young active citizens”. Mlondolozi Ndlovu the 2014 Local President of JCI Bulawayo. e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected]
