Hello and greetings from me, i have been contemplating this for a while now, actually for a couple of years. The feeling you get when a thought or idea drops in your consciousness, what i like to call ‘He spoke to me’ moment and it’s kept nagging me, again and again to pen something down, build on the initial thinking and make something of it but i keep pushing it off to someday i will get to it folder. I am sure you are wondering what this is about and where i am going with this, now let me see, best to start from the begining i guess, that should be pretty obvious right. It all started when i heard Myles Monroe talk about the mango seed, it blew me away! In a very simple way he explained it all; purpose, vision and life. Ever since i have been building on this analogy, drawing and alligning it to my life and personal experiences. As i pondered about it, i said why not share it with you, write it down, capture the thinking, maybe there’s a book in there or some notes that someone out there might find useful and open to reading. This is how i got to here. The really beautiful thing about the mango note series is that it is inexhaustive and i don’t claim right of knowledge to any part of it, i am just simply telling my story and connecting the dots, drawing lines of similarities, you too can do same and share so that a lot more folks out there can read and be inspired to add or share too. One plants, another waters and another harvest.
So let’s start. Like i titled it this is a note and for comprehension ease i will try to pencil my thoughts point by point so its kind of serialised, the end thereof will be a compendium of points, each buttressing a life lesson and applying the mango lens on the matter.
I love mangoes and being Nigerian and African i am close to nature, close to things in their natural state. Here we are many farmers, the land is us, we strive and thrive in a symbiotic relationship with the land. Growing up here my mum taught me how to farm and plant things, my early schooling also augmented with classes in agriculture so by and large i am quite conversant with things being planted and growing.
Note.1.
The mango seed, you got to have the seed, everything starts from the seed without which there’s nothing, absolutely nothing, one can’t give what they dont have. There’s no mango tree without the seed, the tree comes from the seed. Simple right? Naah wrong, this is the most difficult bit of it. The realisation that you are a seed, we all are seed and in us already is our tree. Realisation that our future is not ahead of us but inside us, that what we are to become is in who we are right now.

to be continued

I ve found fewer books more befuddling and yet simple at the same time, conflicting and also compelling. He makes a case for knowledge, a take on how society evolves, pushing one to challenge and jettison pre-conceived notions and concepts. Overall it is a personal reflection, a summary of the individual, organisations and the structures that makes up society. Truth be told he tells an old tale but highlighting how we so easily get it wrong or fail to see what is right before us. He expounds almost graphically on the knowledge man and his evolution with a lot of food for thoughts. It is a deeply insightful piece etched with so much wisdom nuggets that should drive one to deep reflections. I must say its a recommended read, take the time to reflect on management themes, the individual and society. I really found the bit on the knowledge individual unputdownable – spare my play on word and on innovation he made it as simple and clear. Find the time, you must to read The Essential Drucker if you haven’t already. Below i ve put some bits i found really revealing:

“The educated person will therefore have to be prepared to live and work simultaneously in two cultures – that of the ‘ intellectual’ who focuses on words and ideas, and that of the ‘manager’ who focuses on people and work”

Intellectuals see the organisation as a tool; it enables them practice their techné, their specialized knowledge. Managers see knowledge as a means to the end of organizational performances.

‘A knowledge society is a society of nobility, i dare say family is anywhere that takes you in’

It’s not a revolution but social and political innovations in the 21st century. We need innovation and entrepreneurship because their approach is a step at a time, they are focused on opportunity and need, pragmatic not dogmatic, modest rather than grandiose. Indeed they are flexible and self-renewing.

What we need is an entrepreneurial society in which innovation and entrepreneurship are normal, steady and continual.

In the post capitalist society and polity, community has to become commitment

Read the book and you’d find yourself reflect deeply and thoughtfully about yourself and how you ve been applying you as well.

Cheers

This is a true story, i am big man and i mean that physically and not that i have big man cash. 6ft 3in with a belly that I am doing my best to be rid of, which doesn’t seem to be working or going anywhere yet.

Anyway, giving my size, getting a belt that works has always been some kind of a challenge, you get into a shop, see something you like only to be told, they don’t have your size or when you see something that is your size but really horrible style and design. So one day I happen to find not just one that was my size but a lot longer too, I was truly happy, this doesn’t happen very often, so quickly, I snapped it and paid before question will enter the matter

Now let me deviate a bit, like I said earlier, I am on a weight watch programme, trying to lose some and the belly as well, trust me, I have been on this for like forever! Lose some, gain some, same of same all the time. This time around I think I am a bit more committed, so its eight weeks already and I have lost 10kg+ and you won’t believe, it shows cos I now need new holes in my belt for the slimmer me

So I go to a guy that can help, charges a whooping two euro plus for each belt (now that’s robbery but no worries I will do a piece on my Dutch folks another day)

He says to me, the belt is really long, should I cut it so the length will be just right for you? I struggled with it for a while and finally decided against it and the reason why I did is what has led me to penning this piece right now

It took me a while and some chase to find a belt, a good one, with the right style and quality I wanted and the same goes for life as well, it takes a while to build life into what you want it to be, takes some working, struggle and it can be quite the journey.

When I found the belt, it was even longer, here I was never finding my size and now I have one that was even beyond my size! Good quality, stylish leather belt, everything I wanted and more. Life can be so as well, you get to a point where your dreams do come true and then some.

I now have a belt that I could use but the length meant it could go round my waist and then some, so yes it held up my pants as expected, but it took longer to get it to go round and also to take off, making simple task like, taking off at the loo not so simple anymore

This got me thinking, in life we could be so exceedingly blessed that the simple things of life and living is not so easy for us anymore. Simple stuff like talking, being ourselves, communicating and being human and humane.

I know we may have had a time when we searched for the right belt but we now have one and the better thing to do is to cut off the excess cos it doesn’t make it fit any better and quite frankly our lives can be so much better without that burden

I am cutting off my excess belt, I don’t need it, I want to be able to do stuff easily, take things on and off without a struggle.

Just something that struck me and I thought to share

No worries, reviewing books read will be back soon, didnt make the numbers as planned but i also haven’t given up either, learnt that too, failing is part of the learning. Read a really short one recently will talk about that next. Cheers my friends

Why this one? No brainer my sort of previous role or is it current role is innovation currently head of Innovation for a multinational though I am moonlighting somewhere else for now but innovation is still my grind. Now on this one I couldn’t help myself just kept posting little pieces from it on Twitter and LinkedIn account if you follow me you probably already know my review on the book. If there’s one statement here it’s the discovery driven planning and the reverse income statement use this two and you’d ‘ve upped the probability of your innovation being successful. I also like the fact that the book kind of focuses on innovativeness as the direction and not to be hung over on the traditional toga of Innovation, also interesting is the relating innovation and entrepreneurship. A good read saw a couple of stuff we were doing wrong esp wrt strategy and how we look at numbers in defining KPIs for innovation. Really a great piece for anyone so interested in innovation don’t mind the bread too my little evidence to show am no robot 😁

There’s a story here too, was in Paris a couple week’s ago for some work engagement and stayed at the hoxton a boutique hotel with a certain quirky vibe to it, nice rooms with a nice little book shelf and real books! So as I was running through the shelf and happened upon this one – Strengthfinders 2.0 by Tom Rath the only unfortunate part to it was I noticed the book on my final night stay there and as I glossed through I got hooked and so I had to read the book through before checking out and leaving the next morning for Amsterdam. Truth be told I was drawn in by how this little piece of writing inspired me. It was really about a fresh perspective not dwelling on our shortcoming but truly seeing our strengths even in dire situation and condition. When I got to the 34 themes and ideas for action I was rearing to go. I saw my traits run across a number of themes but I am going to focus on the big boxes for now. It’s a practical hands on book that should motivate you and there’s an assessment at the end to give you an insight into your own theme. For me it basically is

a very positive piece almost spiritual really and quite inspiring. I am truly seeing the value of being opened to read how else could I ‘ve found this little wonder 😊

You know every now and then you come across something that really affects you, speaks to your situation and somehow counsels you as well. I remember feeling a bit of this as I read the villager and the part that referred to the application of the right

lens in understanding esp understanding in the African context. Now for this book there are so many parts I found really useful, i mean like start implementing right now useful. It’s like a handbook on how to go about the work you were meant to do. I particularly like the joy-money-flow model it’s simplicity in application and the fact that it is so true. You will also see relatable real life cases that will inspire you to get up and go. My only ask will be – have a pen and paper close by and take notes cos you are about to learn a few good pointers that will help you find you and your work. Happy reading my friends

Every now and then you come across a book that has answers, sheds more light on some of your thoughts. This book does that for me. In my everyday job I keep asking myself how to do i approach stuff with a owner mentality how do I make it simpler what’s the big picture. A striking character here is a guy called Willie Sutton, he was asked why do you rob banks and he said that’s where the money is! In business one must always follow the money it’s that simple focus on that and you will be fine. From the very first chapter you will read about useful stuff that can make you

work a lot smarter. I love the 5ps captured here and the steps from strategy to tactics. Without going into too much details I really do recommend this piece as one for any library. Now to the next one see you guys later

Hmmm now I know this is part of my 44 book quest but this one is a little more than just about the quest, it’s about a piece of writing from one I can call a friend. The book is ‘the villager’ by Feyi Olubodun though a friend this is not him prompting me. Feyi had given a talk about the African consumer sometime back, some narrative about us being villagers. It struck a cord and I could relate easily with the piece. So when I heard he’d done a book by the same title I jumped at it immediately even bought five copies without even reading any review! That’s how high I held the man Feyi. Ok now to the book ‘the villager’ I guess the big take for me will be about the lens, it’s so apt in capturing context and our perspective which has been the bane

of the west/global brands in Africa. The book gives you something to chew on a little and allows you to review even your own interactions but pls don’t forget the lens as you do it. I am guessing Feyi put on his African lens as well too in the writing cos it was easy to read and just flow as we no dey too like plenty reading sef. Final word! Get a copy read the book check your lens and shine ya eye (in my best Naija voice 😁)

A really inspiring little piece to read, highly recommended tells you even bad isn’t really bad infact bad can be good if you push a mindset change

Now I know how loneliness looks like. I can paint a picture of him yes it’s a him in my case I close my eyes I can see him brooding in despair and boredom counting time like coins and willing on the next day to come. He’s moody filled with pangs of anxiety over really nothing but cos he is lonely that’s what he is. I know him so well trust me you don’t want to meet him or get to know him either. I hope our acquaintance be short lived loneliness is the type of person one shouldn’t mingle with for too long