20/02/2024
How I failed, and won.
A short story.
Last year November 19th, I went to a business seminar and product/service exhibition; it was a faith-based program theme; Business the way Allah wants it 2.0.
It was fantastic, kudos to the organizers and every other person that makes it a success, May Allah reward you all in abundance.
During the program I got to know about Stecs when the CTO did a business pitch.
Stecs is a non-interest bank, savings and investment mobile app, my attention was drawn to the CTO's emphasis on their core values to which is to Save, Invest and Grow your wealth ethically with ease.
There was a break for salat zuhr after an insightful session with Professor Aláró. Which was observed on the field track where the job Fair is ongoing.
It was a beautiful sight, different brands showcasing their amazing product, Allahuma barik.
I was tempted to enter each store, however I had to remind myself it's not the end of the month yet unless I want to walk home. I Sha feed my eyes and also collected some business cards.
I only patronize two stores, the ẹwà agoyi stand (Eating is important, eating beans is importantee) and a foundation where I got children book for my brother (It's an autism charity foundation and anything you buy 30% goes to charity) giving back to the society is what I love doing
By the time I left the job Fair arena and back to the seminar building, I was more conscious of time and contemplating on leaving, so I didn't go back into the hall, I decided to stay outside and use the opportunity to create an account with Stecs, they have their stands right outside the hall.
After the process I was given a pen, journal and a thoughtful sticker. I was allowed to pick any sticker so after taking a shot of 4 stickers, I finally settled on one which says; If you are grateful, I will give you more (Quran 14:7).
Apart from the souvenir mentioned above, there were two customized bottles of different sizes on their table. I recognize the smaller one as I have exact except in color in my bag, mine is blue, and this was black.
From the conversation with one of the staff and a guy, I deduced that to get one bottle, you either post on your social media platform and get at least 30 likes or play a game.
I'm not active on social platforms so, game it is then, the game is in two categories, there is soft/medium and hard, if you win the soft/medium you get the smaller bottle, while the hard is for the bigger bottle.
The soft/media game is a word search puzzle where you have to find words outlined, I lost interest in playing when I saw 32 out 35 words; I was eager to leave and that will take some time and besides I already have that bottle, which I took out of my bag and drank some water while in deep thought.
During my inner monologue, two muslimahs came and started playing the word puzzle and before I say jerk, they were done, wow so fast, but I thought you have to find 32 words? I asked, and the staff said no, that it was timed for just 8 minutes.
Really, baby girl is time to play I soliloquies, I think I have up to that time to spare, but I’m not interested in the smaller bottle, I want the bigger one; he said I will have to play hard for 10 minutes, okay let's do this, is either I go hard or I go home.
The hard is a Sudoku puzzle game of 9 columns of 9 boxes in each column, and I have to arrange the numbers such that no same number on the same column/row, well this should be easy, except that there is a template for it and even if I got the arrangement right according to the first rule, if the numbers do not match up that of the template then I lose.
I don’t mind counting my fingers and writing numbers on paper, I want the big bottle and the bottle I will get, even if I fail I wouldn’t without a fight “yea it was war time for me”
The game begins with all seriousness, focus and determination like a flashback to myself. In the lecture hall writing Stat 102 at 8 pm just me and my desk in a hall so bright like the day and I had to resolve a question because the lecturer came in to correct the numbers in the question, 1 hour into the exam.
Trust me it was that intense, by the time 10 minutes elapsed the CTO was present, I could complete 7 columns out of 9. And it was time to cross check.
In all honesty, I failed more than I got right.
Did that make me feel bad?
NO, far from it, I was proud I could do it and it felt like a win.
Did I get the bottle?
Yes, I did, and you know why?
I was given the bottle not because I won but because I embraced the challenge; I chose not to back down; I was not scared of losing; I know what I want and I go for it with all my strength and even the fear of failing could not stop.
I failed, but I still won, because I was not scared of failing, I was scared of doing nothing instead.
And I learnt at that moment, that in Life to have the result you want, you have to be ready to fail more than you win.
