I’m sure you must have heard the phrases “consistency is key” and “start small and stay consistent” a million times? Don’t worry I won’t bore you with the literature. Here’s a short story on them.
Tade, was very serious about getting a job after NYSC.
He tried. Printed CVs, submitted in places, and was even going from office to office.
Nothing serious came out. After a while, he got tired.
But he couldn’t stay at home.
The Encounter
One day, someone at a junction asked Tade to help carry some luggage. The man had been waiting for a taxi and it was getting late. Reluctantly, Tade decided to help. He followed the man to his shop where he fixes phones and sells accessories.
After dropping the luggage he had helped him carry, they had a brief conversation in which Tade told the man he was unemployed and all he just needed was somewhere to start from.
Surprisingly, the man told Tade to come and learn.
Tade started going there every day; watching, learning, and assisting whatever way he could. The man was kind. Sometimes he gave him ₦500 or food.
After about 5 months, Tade had some knowledge and he could comfortably fix small issues with customers’ phones. Seeing this, Tade decided to give the man who had taken him under his tutelage a little token as appreciation for the training.
Not long after that, the man began paying him ₦25,000 monthly with an increase after some time.
One day, the man told Tade to start something small in his own street since there wasn’t anyone offering the same sort of service in that locality. Tade took the initiative.
Humble Beginnings
He started with a small table, and overtime business blossomed.
Today, Tade has his own shop. He repairs phones, sells phones and also their accessories.
You know that thing about meeting the right person at the right time?
It’s real, that man changed Tade’s story for good and he can’t stop praising him.
Humility pays, Tade was humble, stayed, learned, showed respect, and kept showing up even when it was uncomfortable. That’s what opened the door for Tade.
One thing you must know is that opportunity is not always fine when it comes. Sometimes its not close to what one might imagine. But if you do it well, it can change your life.
The Lessons
Now to put things into perspective, Tade’s story is not really about luck or meeting the right person, it’s about mindset and direction.
At first, he was doing what most graduates do, running around with CVs and hoping for a job, but nothing was coming. The real change happened when he stopped waiting and accepted that ‘small work’ without pride. That simple decision to help a stranger with his luggage led him to a skill, and that skill changed everything.
Secondly, the man he met didn’t magically fix his life; he only gave him access to learn something valuable, but Tade had to show up every day, stay consistent, and learn patiently for months before any money came. Many people miss this part because they only see the final result, not the process. The truth is, opportunities are everywhere, but they only help people who are ready to start small, learn fast, and stay consistent without quick reward.
Finally, that willingness to start small and stay consistent, even when nothing was coming in yet. That’s what changed everything for Tade.
So, I beseech you, do not simply read and enjoy the story, draw out the lessons contained therein and apply them to your life. Start small and stay consistent, in a few years to come you will thank yourself for it.
