Sharpshooting Through Life: The Power of Perseverance

Many do not know that no military sharpshooter, skilled in accurate and precision shooting, became one without a tortuous training process.

To become a marksman, the first thing is for the soldier to know the equipment inside out by assembling and disassembling the equipment or weapon and taught the parts, how to load the magazine, what type of ammunition fits each weapon, adjusting for precision, etc., using live or rubber bullets? Imagine the number of bullets a country wastes training its army to master its art of shooting. To you, it might be a waste; to the country, it is an investment.

The training process of a sharpshooter can be likened to that of a photographer, who must maintain a steady position to capture a perfect shot. Just as a photographer needs to hold their camera steady and control their breath to prevent shaking, a soldier must learn how to position their weapon and themselves, control their breath, and squeeze the trigger with precision. It’s a delicate balance of control and finesse, much like the art of photography.

As a former policeman, I can deeply relate to this, although I never quite reached the level of a marksman. I remember the first time I held a gun; my hands were shaking uncontrollably. But with practice and perseverance, I learned to steady my aim and control my fear. This experience and my years of service taught me the importance of preparation and perseverance in achieving our goals. I recall a particularly challenging situation where my perseverance paid off. It was a high-pressure situation, and I was tempted to give up, but I kept pushing forward, and in the end, I was able to resolve the issue. This experience reinforced for me the power of perseverance and its ability to help us overcome even the most difficult challenges.

Consider this: no matter how skilled a soldier may be, the journey to becoming a sharpshooter is paved with repetitions, anxiety, and pains. But with each successful shot, a sense of accomplishment fuels their determination. In the journey, they must listen to instructors to assume the most appropriate position, aim for the bull’s eye- a symbol of their ultimate goal- and gently squeeze the trigger. Repeated repeatedly, this process hones their skills and brings them closer to their goal. In the same way, the path to a successful life demands repetition, learning from mentors, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. Each small victory is a step closer to your ultimate goal, your ‘bull’s eye, ‘and that’s a feeling of empowerment like no other.

The above analogy perfectly encapsulates the path to a successful life. It’s a journey that demands knowing who and what you have, meticulous planning, unwavering focus, positioning for opportunities, and pulling opportunity triggers to set your actions in motion, take the opportunities, and make a success of them. But above all, it requires ‘unwavering perseverance’-a steadfast commitment to your goals, even in the face of challenges and setbacks. This means not giving up when things get tough, staying focused on your end goal, and continuing to work hard even when you don’t see immediate results. It’s this unwavering perseverance that separates the successful from the rest.

In our earthly journey, we can only succeed economically by taking the necessary lessons and investing time and money. But when you have ten thousand Naira and blow it all daily, you are not preparing for tomorrow’s opportunity because you will have nothing to invest with when investment opportunities come.

Life is a journey with so many tests that we must pass, but with each test, our perseverance grows more muscular, and so does our chance of success. Remember, financial discipline and strategic investment are not just keys, they are the tools that you hold to unlock your economic success, putting you in control of your financial destiny.

Being a successful person does not mean becoming an overnight billionaire. It only means that you are sufficiently positioned to help yourself and others, no matter how little, because the law of nature will always position people to help you. Before long, what you eat and drink will not be a challenge even when you are not working as hard as you did in the past. That is an absolute miracle and the favor of the Lord.

Remember, success is not just about personal gain, it’s about making a positive impact on others, about living a life of purpose and fulfillment, about leaving a legacy of gratitude. Oprah Winfrey, a renowned media celebrity, had a difficult beginning. She did not have gold thrust on her. Instead, she gradually picked up life pieces, lived a life of gratitude, and embarked on helping the helpless and the voiceless. She didn’t blame her parents, brothers, and sisters for her bitter past; instead, she used her experiences to fuel her determination. And when she clocked 70, she adorned the media spaces. Her journey, along with the likes of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, is a testament to the power of Perseverance and the potential for success that lies within each of us.

Oprah’s story shows we all have the inner strength to turn things around. It does not matter what age we have attained. Think about this: no matter how bitter life is today with us, life can be sweet again. But above all, when we arrive at the bus stop of success, what would we do to be remembered when we disappear from the public glare? ‘Unwavering perseverance’ in this context refers to the ability to stay committed to your goals and keep pushing forward, even when faced with challenges or setbacks. It’s this quality that can help us overcome obstacles and achieve our dreams. Happy Sunday. Grace and peace!!!