Three lessons from a taxi driver
Last week I engaged a taxi driver for a return journey to deliver a motivational talk in Jinja. When travelling towards the venue of the talk, I typically keep quiet to recollect my thoughts. Sometimes to take a nap. After the talk is done, I feel free enough to talk. I enjoy talking to taxi drivers because they either have interesting stories or some deep wisdom to share. I guess partly because they interact with so many people and as such are privy to a variety of perspectives. I love asking about how they got into the trade of taxi business and the length of engagement.
To keep his privacy, let’s call the gentleman Dan. Close to getting me to office, he shared with me a string of stories that has seen him grow from very humble beginnings to owning his own home, some rentals and the very car that he drives. He shared with me a couple of lessons that I believe are applicable anywhere.
Order
“Put things in order. You have to be organized. I usually tell my colleagues that even the way you park your car matters because you save yourself arguments and potential trouble” he passionately stated while demonstrating with his hands. Are you orderly?
Cleanliness
“I always advise my children that being dirty leads to poverty while cleanliness leads to riches. No one wants to associate with dirty people and as such they limit their blessings. For example, when a big shot is visiting a village, such a personality can only have a meal at a home that is clean. And of course such people leave ‘something’ behind. A prospect can’t consider hiring a dirty taxi, so I keep my mine clean” Are you clean? Do you groom yourself? Are you smart? Oh, he told me how the son was voted into power as a health minister for his primary school. And he reminded the son of the value of cleanliness and smartness. You may not become the ‘minister of health’ but you would still attract positive attention.
Manifesto to God
“When you request for money from someone, they will typically ask you for the reasons why. I also believe it’s the same thing with God. You have to ask and state the reason why you want the money. So, for me, I typically tell God the amount of money that I want and the reason why I want the money. I will state something like – ‘God, once you give me this amount of money, I will do this and that. I will support this cause and this person’. In other words, I prepare a manifesto to God”
Unless you are politician targeting the 2016 elections, start working on your personal manifesto. Infuse it with what and why. Order, cleanliness and presenting a manifesto to God if adhered to can make a big difference in your life. Don’t you think so? Thank you ‘Danny’ for sharing.
[email protected]
Ethan is the CEO of Success Africa, a motivational speaker, author and HR consultant.
