Chasing The New, Missing The Big

Growing your sensitivity in what matters

Let’s settle the subject of novelty. We want to do crazy things. We want to be the pathfinder, the trendsetter and do things that make people's mouths widen. Groundbreaking projects that none has done in recent times so that if we show up in a room everyone would turn in their seat to hail or give a standing ovation to this exceptional writer, speaker, entrepreneur or Tech guru. It’s all good until we start trivializing little things that God puts within our care to take care of. If we are looking for new and out of this world ideas, we may never see the things God has commissioned us to do because the spots are taken, and millions of people are already doing those things, running those businesses, speaking about those subjects, writing those things. Our success most often depends on our obedience and trust in the process, in our trust that we are adequately gifted for the project and assignment that is before us, in doing the little and common things, and not in looking for groundbreaking opportunities. I do not know about novelties, I can’t assure you about it, I cannot promise you that as you walk out today, you’d meet a huge opportunity on your way. I cannot assure you that a big firm will call you out of the blue to present you with a job offer. That is not in my finite power. But I know one thing for sure, that if you take the seemingly small opportunity to impact, if you fill the small gaps, or solve the small problems, or serve ordinary people around you, or take up the small positions, to serve and give your best. You will end up in big places. 

A lot of folks are not undertaking certain projects today because ‘someone is already doing it’ because it’s not a grand idea. God knows it’s not a new idea but he wants you to do it. He’s saying that if an idea is passed through 10 individuals, or a project is executed by 10 managers, those projects is not one project anymore but the project has copied the DNA of the 10 different individuals who executed the project, it can never be the same project again, it can’t be the same career, it can’t be the same business idea. 

There’s a message, a perspective, a grain of quality, a character that He wants to introduce to your field or industry through you. No matter how prominent a writer is, everyone will not be his fan or reader. His work will not speak to everyone. No matter how great a product is, it will not appeal to everyone the same way. No matter how attractive a fashion trend is, everyone will not be smitten. This should tell you something, every brand will get their people, every business will have their customers, every product will have their users, every author will have their readers, every news channel will have their typical audience. You cannot determine who comes to you, listens to you, patronizes you or who will be your follower, your only responsibility is to put yourself and your products out and serve.

A few will have the gift of novelty, rare ideas will come to them. But most people will not. But we all have the opportunity to turn the small, and common things we handle into something outrageously beautiful. We will have the opportunity to build on what already exists into something better. We will have the opportunity to contribute to what is already moving. We must be sensitive to these moments and take them when they come. They are the little miracles that we see daily. Don’t miss them. 

God knows that the message He’s sending you is not new. He just wants you to be the one delivering it. Don't get ahead of yourself.

I’d love to read your comments and questions, they give me joy and keep me going. Have a great week and breakthrough from within.

Abiola Iyiola,

Creative Director,

AI Leadership Consult