The Game Changer (3)- Focus

Don’t Lose Focus

“What do you have at home?” Stella asked. She jumped on the couch and cuddled in one corner.

“This is surprising, you don’t usually eat this early. Where are you coming from? I asked still looking surprised.

“My friend, make something for me to eat and stop asking me questions” She replied like a boss speaking to her subordinate.

She continued “I am coming from my house and now in your house. Are you satisfied?”

“Yes, your highness” I replied. “What will her royal highness take this morning?”

“Bread and egg with hot tea will be a good way to start the day”

“Just a moment then” I dashed into the kitchen and muttered to myself “I have missed this beautiful damsel”

“I heard that” she shouted and added “No sugar in the tea please”

“As your highness pleases” I replied laughing.

About 15 minutes later, I was back to the living room with her breakfast and met her asleep. She looked beautiful and innocent. With tray in hand I stared at her and didn’t notice when she opened her eyes.

“Are you going to stand there staring? Put the food down jare, I want to eat” she said rolled off the couch and sat on the rug.

I hurriedly set the tray in front of her and in the process spilled hot water from the jug.

“Ogbeni, be careful now. Don’t come and pour hot water on me o” She said and reached out to twist my ear. I jerked back and she laughed.

“Dear mi, I have missed you so much but there is something important that I want to discuss with you.” she said with a serious face.

“So why are you here?” I inquired afraid she was about to tell me she will be getting married soon.

“Kunle, I am so happy you’ve gotten a job now. We have waited so long for this but I want to tell you something that will help you in your new job” She replied.

“Ok, I am all ears” I replied excited.

“When I started in the company, I was very naïve and I didn’t know about the internal workings of organization. I was trained by someone that was more interested in the politics in the office than the work itself.

Mr. Talabi showed some people in bad light and made it known to me that to achieve anything worthwhile you have to belong to a clique. He was nice to me so I didn’t see anything wrong in what he said.

He constantly pointed out the mistakes and failures of others and I joined him. We laughed at them and reported them to the necessary managers.

Gradually I was becoming sloppy on my job and instead of improving I was blaming others.

Until the day I was given two queries in a day. I told Mr. Talabi about it and he laughed and said it was from our detractors and advised that I ignore it.

On that day my eyes opened and I told myself, “I was employed to work and not to belong in any clique, if I don’t get promoted it is fine by me but I must work for my pay cheque”

I decided to cut all ties with Mr. Talabi and all the clique. This brought me on a war path with them but I didn’t care as long as I was doing my job excellently.

That was when the commendations and promotion started.”

“Hmm..this is great advice Stella. I really appreciate it and I will ensure I focus on my job, adding value to the company.” I replied.

“Exactly! We are paid to add value and not to socialize, unionize, or pick faults in others job. Your job is an opportunity to grow and develop, to make yourself invaluable to the organization”

“Stella, you are on point there. Infact you are always on point” I said with a big smile on my face.

She laughed and called me naughty boy.

I coughed and said “Talking about focus, there is something I also want to tell you for a while now.”

Her face lighted up and I continued.

For a moment I was transfixed. I couldn’t get the perfect words to propose to her.

“Is this a good time? How is she going to feel?” Millions of thoughts running through my mind at the moment.

“When do I get to take you out for a proper dinner?” I finally said, preferring to make a better preparation and maybe get a ring.

“I have dedicated today to you, so we can as well go out later in the day.” She replied with a beautiful smile.

“So you will be here till evening? ” I asked excitedly.

“Don’t you want me to stay or is your girlfriend coming? Tell me so I can quickly pack my things and leave.”

“Which girlfriend? ” I replied. “Abeg jor”

She laughed, looked at me and brought out her laptop. After our meal, we watched a movie titled “3 idiots”. She then packed the dirty dishes to wash in the kitchen.

I watched her as she gracefully cat walked to the kitchen. The thoughts of what she discussed with me came back.

This is why government parastatals don’t work, people are more interested in politics, unions, parties with aso ebi than the job they are being paid to do.

I will not fall a victim, I will stand out, I must stand out.

To be continued…

@ohteehem

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