Do you want to know the one thing I value most about my teacher? It’s his unwavering commitment to invest his precious time in my education.
Sometimes, he sends me short video clips containing valuable lessons. One particular video featured Folorunsho Alakija, a Nigerian businesswoman, being interviewed by Bishop T. D. Jakes.
Her words left a lasting impression on me, and I would like to share some of the lessons I learned.
1. Stay Focused on Your Goals
One statement particularly caught my attention:
Stay focused on what you want to do.
Mrs. Alakija grew up in a Muslim family where both parents were involved in business. Her mother taught her the importance of hard work and managing multiple responsibilities.
Today, she is a born-again Christian whose journey reminds us that our backgrounds do not have to determine the limits of our future.
What fascinated me was her emphasis on focus.
Whether we are pursuing education, building a career, or growing spiritually, concentration is essential.
Looking back on my journey towards university admission, I recognise that both God’s favour and my commitment to studying helped me reach my goal.
Faith does not eliminate the need for discipline.
We must learn to combine our trust in God with practical action.
2. The Seven Principles of SUCCESS
During the interview, Mrs. Alakija explained the principles behind her achievements using the word SUCCESS.
S U C C E S S
S — Sacrifice: Make sacrifices today for a better tomorrow.
U — Utilise Your Talents: Put your abilities to productive use.
C — Consistent Focus: Remain committed to your goals.
C — Credibility: Become someone others can trust.
E — Education: Never stop learning.
S — Say No to Discouragement: Do not allow setbacks to defeat you.
S — Seek First God’s Kingdom: Put God first in everything you do.
After hearing these principles, I reflected on how to apply them to my own life.
For me, sacrifice means spending less time on social media and more time reading. Utilising my talents means serving others with the abilities God has given me.
Consistent focus means organizing my daily activities around meaningful goals, while credibility means becoming someone others can depend on.
Education reminds me to take my studies seriously, and refusing discouragement means learning to respond wisely when things do not go according to plan.
Above all, I must remember to acknowledge God in everything I do.
It is one thing to admire successful people, but another thing entirely to apply the lessons we learn from them.
3. Challenges Are Part of Growth
Another important lesson from the interview was the need to prepare ourselves for challenges.
One of my favourite expressions is, “It is well!”
I believe in speaking positively and maintaining faith even when circumstances are difficult. However, this does not mean that every challenge will disappear immediately.
Sometimes, difficulties become opportunities for us to develop patience, endurance, and character.
The Bible reminds us:
Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith produces endurance.
James 1:2–3
We cannot expect to grow if we are unwilling to face challenges.
Our responsibility is to keep learning, remain steadfast, and refuse to allow discouragement to stop us.
4. Do You Want to Improve Yourself?
Towards the end of the interview, Mrs. Alakija asked a question that stayed with me:
Do you want to improve yourself?
What a powerful question!
As a university student, this interview reminded me that education is not merely about obtaining a degree. It is an opportunity to prepare myself for the future.
If we genuinely desire growth, we must be willing to invest our time, develop our abilities, and make the necessary sacrifices.
Success requires more than wishing for a better future. It requires intentional action.
Personally, I aspire to become someone who encourages others to recognize and develop their God-given potential.
I believe our achievements should not benefit us alone, but should also inspire and uplift the people around us.
Final Thoughts: Learn How to Fish
Receiving a fish may satisfy your hunger for a day, but learning how to fish equips you with a skill that can sustain you for years.
Likewise, rather than depending entirely on what others can give us, we should develop the knowledge, discipline, and character necessary to create opportunities and make a difference.
I am grateful to my teacher for sharing this interview with me. It reminded me that true mentorship is not simply about providing answers, but about equipping others to grow.
As we pursue our goals, let us remain focused, embrace learning, persevere through challenges, and put God first.
Remember what the Bible declares:
Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.
Romans 8:37
Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep moving forward.
The sky’s the limit!
Fin.
*Editor’s Note · 2026*
This article was originally written during my university years. As I revisit it today, I am reminded that the principles of focus, discipline, education, and faith remain just as relevant in my present journey. I hope these reflections encourage you to invest in your personal growth and make the most of every opportunity.
