My dream has always been to teach English abroad, especially in countries of the Middle East (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, and UAE) where teachers are well remunerated. But as a non-native speaker of English, with native-like proficiency, I reckoned that I needed to have the necessary qualifications to stand a chance. I decided to travel to the United States for my TESOL certification; it was a huge investment, considering that I am from Nigeria with unstable exchange rate of Naira to dollar. I emptied my bank account and got additional loan support from family members. I was optimistic that the training would stand me in good stead and give me a special impetus in fulfilling my ambition.
I enrolled with International TEFL/TESOL Training Institute (ITTI) in March 2014 at the New York training centre in Manhattan. The experience was ineffable; the training was challenging but exciting. At the end of my training in April 2014, I returned home to Nigeria after exploring the pulchritudinous nature of New York City; I actually sojourned in Queens with my Nigerian host. I decided to quit my teaching job in Nigeria in September 2014; I wanted something better for myself and my family, doing what I enjoy doing. Remaining on the job won’t avail me the opportunity to get what I needed.
The first offer I got came from Tajikistan but I outright turned it down; the pay wasn’t different from my last job. This was followed by an IELT examiner offer from the British Council in Lagos, Nigeria; while it’s an attractive proposition, it won’t fulfill my primary and sole aim of junketing to the United States: ‘I want to teach abroad’. I kept applying despite rejections from many employers from the Middle East, simply because I am not a native speaker of English. I remained undaunted, committed and resolute. I was optimistic my chance would come.
Lo and behold! The chance indeed came in manifold; I started getting positive responses from universities, colleges and high schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain. I was interviewed by an avalanche of institutions; some even went further requesting my teaching video demos. In fact, one particular school came to Nigeria from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and invited me for a one-on-one interview, after having been satisfied with my Skype interview and teaching demo. But then, I had already accepted an offer from a Dutch company to teach in one of its colleges in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It was a fantastic offer for a non-native speaker. The company paid and processed my visa, flight tickets. Wow!!!! My dream eventually became reality.
I taught in a college furnished with modern, state-of-the-art or cutting-edge teaching equipment. The students are young Saudis; they are prospective technicians that are being trained to work for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s oil giant Aramco. While in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, I was contacted by a university in Oman, one of the several institutions that interviewed me in January 2015 before I travelled to Saudi Arabia. I was extremely elated with the offer, especially the idea of teaching in a university.
The rest, they say, is history. I am presently in Oman with my family, living in a furnished apartment, at the expense of the university.
Remember, what gives my CV a proper recognition is the TESOL certification I did in 2014. As a non-native speaker, I have had good offers within two years of my training. Opportunities abound for non-natives with the necessary qualifications to teach abroad and earn fantastic remunerations.
I was recently called upon to speak to a group of employees at an event to mark the company’s expansion into a new line of business. This company has been doing very well with a loyal customer base.
I figure out that since they have such a loyal fan base, that there must be something great about them. I decided to motivate them further and ensure that each of the team members knows and understand that they count. I wanted them to continue to work as a team and understand that the company will continue to achieve success if everyone in the team continues to contribute their quota and make an impact.
Everyone loves and crave for relevance. And relevance comes in different forms. It is about giving attention, being connected, and becoming significant to other people. If you are married like me, relevance to your spouse comes in the form of attention. That’s why it is not unusual for a wife to ask for quality time from the husband from time to time. What she wants and what she is asking for is relevance. And this can be vice versa as well. When a wife gets too busy, the husband can want and demand attention as well.
At your place of work, when you receive some reward or recognition, it shows that you are relevant. Companies, these days can choose specific areas to locate their business for strategic purpose. For example, Amazon recently opened a new headquarter in New York because the city is relevant for their growth strategy. Apple announced that it is opening a billion-dollar campus in Austin, a move that shows that Austin is pertinent to their business. Why not New Orleans or Houston. By the way, I would have loved them to come to Houston.
So the question becomes, how can you as an individual become and stay relevant in your career, and family life? I have three quick tips to share with you today, and I believe if you can follow these tips, you will be able to establish your relevance wherever you find yourself.
Love what you do, and do what you love:In my book “Winners Ways” I wrote about the need for everyone to do what they love and love what they do. This is very crucial if you want to become an impact maker. You will do a mediocre job if you do not enjoy what you are doing, there is just no easy way around it. If you are currently not passionate about what you do, are there any aspects of it that you enjoy. For example, If you work in a hospital, you may not necessarily like the fact that you are on your feet for almost 8 hours every day, but do you enjoy nursing the sick people to healing? If you work in the customer service department of your company, and yes you encounter some bad customers, but do you enjoy working with those grateful customers that you help in solving their problems? If so, you need to focus more on the sweet and fun part of your job. What you focus on becomes your reality. There is no utopian society. There will never be a perfect job. Even Presidents do not like some aspects of their jobs, if you doubt me, ask Donald Trump…if he likes to go to Congress for funding, etc.
Be hungry and stay passionate:To make an impact on whatever you do, you need to stay hungry and passionate about it. When you think of people in sports, they have a strong passion and intense interest in the sport that they play. They can play games for hours, and they will wake up the next day, and they want to go back still and do it again. That is the level of passion and interest we should all have for what we do. Many people are happy on Friday (TGIF), and less so on Monday (OGIM).
You cannot make an impact if you are not connected and engaged in what you do. Highly successful people are passionate people. Passion is everything. If you are not doing something you are excited about, you are shortchanging yourself, and the chance of achieving success is remote to nothing. You must have a passion for what you do to look forward to going back the next day to continue. Doing what you are passionate about will make you become an impact maker and help you excel in what you do. Passion breeds enthusiasm, and if you are enthusiastic about something, you will have energy and exude confidence. People will generally want to associate with a high-energy and confident person; people will feel your passion without talking about it. If you are in a position today where you are not happy with your life, career, or business, you have to be bold to make a change and pursue what will make you happy. Be hungry and stay passionate, and you will become an impact maker and remain relevant.
Pursue Excellence Relentlessly:There is a common saying that what is worth doing is worth doing well. This is a compelling message for anyone who wants to achieve more in life and make an impact. The highly successful people use this concept of pursuing excellence to improve their skills and get better every day at what they do. To be an impact maker, you have to strive to attain excellence in your chosen field of endeavor; you have to continuously find ways of getting better, sharpening your skills, taking on higher responsibilities, setting bigger goals, and ensuring that you deliver top-class results in whatever you do. In pursuing excellence, you must bring on your A-game and put in your best efforts at what you do to ensure that you deliver a topnotch result.
Again in the field of sport, when you think about the contribution of someone like Lebron James to his team, you will understand that indeed he is an impact maker. The chances of the team winning increases when they have the playmaker on the pitch, playing along with other team members. The same fact holds for someone like Lionel Messi of Barcelona or Tim Tebow and Peyton Manning for their different NFL teams.
Pursuing excellence is a commitment that you need to make to start seeing results. It is an intentional determination not to settle for less but always to strive to provide only the best in whatever you do.
Closing thoughts
If you want to become relevant and make an impact wherever you may find yourself, you have to enjoy what you do, stay hungry and passionate by learning more and finding creative ways to contribute your quota and seek to pursue excellence to make sure you get better and impact lives.
Excellence is the unlimited ability to improve the quality of what you have to offer.?—?Rick Pitino
This Nigerian man summoned his helicopter to airlift him after being stuck in the legendary Nigerian traffic for hours. The cars made way and the helicopter picked him – and he flew over traffic! Paraphrasing Ronald Reagan, he left the solid bounds of Nigerian traffic and touched his home! Take note: they will be ordering helicopters now since they can be used to deal with traffic.
Nigerian man calls for his helicopter to be used to take him to his destination, after being stuck in Lagos traffic for hours. pic.twitter.com/730XRi1h0J
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) June 23, 2019
The story behind this video is incredible. There was a heavy traffic jam, hold up for about 2hours and someone just vexed and called a helicopter to come pick him out.
‘’By striving to control your thoughts, you resist becoming a slave to your emotions, allowing yourself to live in a way that’s in harmony with your goals and values’’. Justin Bariso
Emotional intelligence can be defined as the capacity to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically.
To survive in today’s world, we need to apply emotional intelligence in all aspects of relationships, be it family, place of work, social or religious gatherings.
I have come to the conclusion that human behaviour has a lot to do with upbringing, genetic influence, community influence and emotional intelligence.
Emotional intelligence is different from academic excellence, no matter the number of degrees we have like a thermometer or how exposed we think we are, our emotions have a great role to play in our relationships with people and how successful we become.
Some adults, although having grown in age, still have the emotion of a four year old, and would play tantrums if they don’t get what they want at a particular time. When you have a different opinion to theirs on any matter whatsoever, they see it as an insult and will become aggressive, controlling and sometimes violent.
Being hot tempered is not an excuse for aggressive behaviours or violence under the law,
Adults with poor emotional intelligence always seem to allow their emotions run out of control, a good example is the anger emotion; people control their angers in different ways.
People that lash out on others and hit their hands on tables or walls, break objects deem to have very poor emotional intelligence and are insecure so they treat other people badly and blame them for their response.
No one is perfect, but I believe if we consciously understand our emotions, and learn how to keep them in check, we may be able to live happy healthier lives.
Strive today to keep your emotions under control, practice one day at a time, and see how you gradually make progress in being a better person, and having better relationships with other people.
Most of all, a healthy emotion leads to a happier fulfilled life.
I would like to share Justin Bariso’s interpretation of emotional intelligence and how it appears in the real world. (13 points to apply).Justin intelligently describes the 13 things emotionally intelligent people do in his article published in INC newsletter. Those elements are:
You think about feelings.
You pause.
You strive to control your thoughts.
You benefit from criticism.
You show authenticity.
You demonstrate empathy.
You praise others.
You give helpful feedback.
You apologize.
You forgive and forget.
You keep your commitments.
You help others.
You protect yourself from emotional sabotage.
Clicking the piece, you can read more on how to apply these elements.
The quantum computers can capitalize on the prowess of atoms and molecules to perform memory and processing tasks. In this way, quantum computing presents an alternative approach to traditional computing which is based on a memory made up of bits. In traditional computers, data is encoded into binary digits (bits), each of which assumes either of the definite states of 0 and 1. The computation process in traditional computers is carried out using electronic transistors and capacitors. Unlike it, however, quantum computing relies on quantum-mechanical phenomena such as superposition and entanglement. Quantum computation uses quantum bits called qubits which maintains a sequence to represent a one, a zero or any quantum-superposition of those two qubit states.
In layman terms, today’s computers operate by manipulating bits that exist in either of the two states of zero or one. Quantum computers are not limited to two states, their ability to encode information into qubits which can exist in superposition. It means it can use symbols of 0 and 1 and all points in between.
Technically speaking, a quantum computer with n qubits can be represented in arbitrary superposition of different states simultaneously. This feature of quantum computation presents an edge over traditional computing that can only be in one of these at any one time.
Therefore, a quantum computer with the number of qubits equal to the bits of a classical computer is fundamentally different. The following example would help better shed light on the nature of difference between two computing systems. A traditional computing system requires storage of complex coefficients to represent the state of n-qubit system while state of classical n bit system can be represented with only n numbers. It points to the exponentially high information storage capacity of qubits than their traditional counterparts can do. In fact, the ability of quantum computers to hold multiple states simultaneously makes them potentially far powerful than today’s supercomputers.
Like traditional computers, quantum computers uses algorithm which is composed of fixed sequence of quantum logic gates. The problem is encoded by setting initial value of qubits and then measurement is made by decomposing the system of qubits each with value of zero or one into classical state. The end result, therefore, is at most n classical bits of information.
The ability of quantum computers to work on millions of computations simultaneously is known as parallelism. It comes from the superposition of qubits. In other words, quantum computers are capable of carrying out millions of computations at once while today’s computer can perform only one at a time. It is no surprise that a 30-qubit quantum computer contains processing power that a conventional computer can achieve by running at 10 teraflops (trillions of floating-point operations per second). Whereas the today’s typical computers run on a speed measured in gigaflops (billions of floating-point operations per second).
In coming days we can hope that quantum computers will replace silicon chips in a similar fashion as transistors replaced vacuum tubes. To date, the research to realize quantum bits based computation is in its infancy. And much of the research endeavoring to reach that goal can best be described as theoretical. The most advanced quantum computers can achieve only 16 qubits manipulation power which points that such efforts are far short of being used as practical applications. However, quantum computers have created a potential where one can expect that one day such computers can perform quickly and easily cutting the computation time required by conventional computers incredibly short.
Years of research and major breakthroughs in the field of mathematics, material sciences and computer sciences are shaping the advances to realize the quantum based computations. With their superfast processing power, these computers have potential to revolutionize by unleashing breakthroughs in several fields including materials and drug discovery, the optimization of complex systems, and artificial intelligence. But to transform quantum computing theory into reality, we need to revisit the information processing and machines that do it.
Source: CB Insights
Why we need quantum computing?
Every day we observe and experience the benefits brought to us by classical computation. Today’s computers prove very handy such that life without computers is hard to imagine in this technical era of time history. We seek help and have entertain ourselves, we connect with other people all over the world, and we process huge amounts of data to address problems and maintain complex systems using the computational power of today’s computers.
However, there are issues and problems that are too large to be addressed by today’s computing systems. Beyond a certain size and complexity, today’s computers fail to provide computing power to sufficiently address such challenges. To acquire a computational power that grows exponentially as the system size grows, we need a new kind of computing.
How potentially it can revolutionize our lives?
With unprecedented computing power, the quantum computers will disrupt every industry. They will transform the way we do business, place security to safeguard our data, conduct research to fight diseases and invent new material, and deal with climate and natural catastrophes. As the efforts to create first commercially viable computer intensifies, here are few of the ways it will revolutionize our lives and the world:
Artificial intelligence: The artificial intelligence and quantum computers present a perfect fit. The information processing that requires improving machine learning ideally can be achieved from quantum computing. With gigantic power to crush and analyze large quantities of data, the quantum computing can provide artificial machines feedback essential to improve their performance. The quantum computers’ inherent superiority to analyze and provide feedback over the traditional computers will result in significant reduction in learning curve for artificial intelligent machines. It will allow ever wide expansion of artificial intelligence into other industries as well as become more intuitive and insightful.
Drug development: During a drug development process chemists are keen to evaluate the interaction between various chemical components and elements to assess the extent medicines are effective against the diseases. Given the volume and scope of such analysis, it is a time and labor intensive task. Quantum computers with their ability to run multiple analyses simultaneously can help chemists to determine viable options much quicker.
Weather forecasting and climate change: The introduction of quantum computers into the met forecasting system will considerably reduce the time involved and improve the accuracy of the weather predictions. By allowing meteorologists to analyze data at once, these computers would enable to them better predict when the bad weather will strike.
Traffic control: Effective traffic whether air or on ground depends upon the route optimization through efficient scheduling. Quantum computers would allow traffic controllers to use their routes optimally while avoiding traffic congestion. The fast processing capabilities of quantum computing can also help to optimize the supply chains, fleet operations and deliveries.
A double edge-sword for developing nations
The quantum computing represents a disruptive innovation which is going to shake up every filed of the life. A disruptive change with a potential to influence our lives so profoundly can go either way for a developing nation like Nigeria. How the advent of quantum computers acts as a double edge sword for developing countries, following lights shed light on it.
All developing nations including Nigeria have two options to deal with wave of transformation and change which would accompany with quantum computing. First is to sit into an armchair and wait and watch how things playing out. Second, mobilize whatever resources they have to develop knowledge and expertise in order to place a foot into the fast running train of quantum computing.
Do nothing and pay for it
It means doing nothing in face of an emerging technology which has an astronomical potential to change the things entirely the way we experience them today. Unfortunately, in case of most of developing nations their attitude to such technological disruptions is that of ‘It’s none of our business’. Despite the World Bank and other international development agencies’ repeated assertions that sustainable development is not possible without making investments into disruptive innovations, majority of the developing nations particularly in Africa failed to design effective policy initiatives to reap the benefits of such technological advancements. By their inaction governments in developing world not only let lucrative opportunities to go but they widen the development gap between them and the developing nations of the world. As the technological gap grows large, the flow of economic resources and wealth get accelerated from poor to rich nations.
Finding ways to be a part of the breakthrough
On the other hand, developing nations like Nigeria can better off by taking timely and effective initiatives. Through such initiatives they can truly capitalize on the significant technological breakthroughs. Among myriad of options, these nations can direct their policy initiatives particularly at two areas. First find ways to develop their human resources and infrastructure so that when a disruptive technological breakthrough such as quantum computers unleashes, they are not strangers to it. It would allow them have their due shares in the economic yields that may result from such innovations. Second initiative involves the capacity building of their institutes so that they can timely understand the applications and implications of the quantum computing phenomenon. By integrating the prowess of this data processing giant into their systems they would be in a better position to effectively address the challenges and issues their nations are facing.
Quantum computing and two chronic problems of the Africa
Africa is undoubtedly world’s poorest region with GDP six times below the average GDP of the world. The two major problems can be blamed for that dismal GDP performance of the region, namely: Unemployment and ineffective governance. The unemployment in African countries including Nigeria is rampant and those who are employed get only miniscule of compensations. According to World Bank investments in disruptive technologies can stimulate economic activities rooted in high-tech business ventures and can effectively help to bring the unemployment rate down. Therefore the unfolding of the quantum computing advancement offers governments in the Africa an entire new set of opportunities. The technology based business ventures not only trigger a new kind of economic activities but also help to improve the lives of the people through better products and services. Government can utilize the wealth which may result from such economic activities to address other social issues and challenges they are facing.
The second challenge particularly Nigeria is facing is that of an ineffective and corrupt governance system. Using the gigantic data processing power the government can build systems that are more transparent and allow greater accountability. Different policy initiatives can be better designed using unprecedented computing power of quantum computing. For example, Nigeria is facing with serious environmental and climate change issues. With the simultaneous analysis of the large data volume, government may be able to predict and visualize the effects of their various environment related policy initiatives. In this way, quantum computing may greatly assist to effectively mitigate the dangers arising from environment and climate change.
To summarize, quantum computing presents a disruptive innovation which has the potential to revolutionize the world in way never seen and experienced before. By carefully formulating an effective strategy, the governments in developing nations can close the wealth generation gap that exists between them and the developed countries. Failing to be a part of this unfolding technological breakthrough may result developing states to languish further behind and witness the transfer of their much needed economic resources and wealth to developed nations in the world.
