It simply means that working the hardest does not automatically make someone the richest.

Ideally, hard work should always pay the most. But if we're being realistic, life doesn't always work that way.

Those who know me from home know that I'm not a lazy girl. My mum is a very hardworking woman, and I definitely inherited that spirit from her.

When you come from a family that is not financially comfortable, you quickly realize that no one is coming to rescue you. You have to find your own way.

But if people became rich simply because they worked hard, I should have been a billionaire by now. 😂

Fast forward to when I gained admission into the university, I immediately started looking for something to do to support myself. I already knew that if I folded my hands, nothing would change. No one is coming to help me.

In my 100 Level, I started selling unisex shorts. Those shorts trended massively then. I carried that business on my head as if my life depended on it. And honestly, it did.

I moved from hostels to hostels, from one lodge to another, delivering clothes just to make sales.

The business did well for a while and really helped me survive.

When sales slowed down, I started asking myself, "What's next?"

That's just how I am.

I don't like sitting idle. I've never been comfortable depending completely on other people to take care of my life.

So, when I moved off campus in my second year, I started selling Okpa.

Yes, you read that correctly. 😂

I cooked and sold Okpa.

I knew no one would believe this except people that saw me doing it.

My mum and my sister would send powdered Okpa from home through waybill.

Every morning, I woke up around 4 or 5 a.m. to prepare it.

Before 6:00 a.m., I was already walking around the hostels with a bucket on my head shouting,

"Your sweet Okpa is here! Your delicious Nsukka Okpa is ready! Come and buy your Nsukka special Okpa!" 

Looking back now, I laugh. 😂

Back then, it felt embarrassing. But I had no choice. I swallowed my pride and shame because I needed to survive, and I wanted to earn my money genuinely.

People loved my Okpa. Some customers even placed orders a day before.

For a while, that business kept me going.

Unfortunately, when you're feeding from both your profit and your capital while also solving school problems with the same money, the business gradually begins to die.

That was exactly what happened to me.

Also, I had a challenge with the size of pot and small gas I was using. On top of that, I missed lectures a few times because I was out selling.

Eventually, I had to stop.

Again, I started asking myself, "What else can I do?"

This time, I ventured into selling female thrift shorts.

That business taught me one expensive lesson.

Always do your market research first.

I bought plenty of clothes without properly understanding the market. Those clothes stayed with me until I started giving some away for free and wearing the rest myself. 😂

I didn't even recover my capital, let alone make a profit.

I even started a cleaning business and it didn’t survive. 😔  

I designed the flyers myself. Printed them. Pasted stickers all around the school. I was pushing it on WhatsApp and Facebook groups every day like my life depended on it.

I was enthusiastic, hoping to establish the business properly even after school.

But still... the business just couldn’t stand.

I also worked in a cyber café just to earn enough money to settle one school bill or another.

At one point, I even opened a cyber café with someone as a joint business. Unfortunately, my business partner wasn't serious, and the business collapsed. 😂😫

Today, I sell female nightwear to still support myself with the little profit it brings.

Yet, despite all these efforts, I still can't say I've achieved the kind of financial life I dream about. 

In fact, I'm still brooooooookkkeeeeee 😭

Yes, I still struggle to feed sometimes.

Yes, unexpected payments still make my heart skip.

Yes, I still calculate every naira before spending because every decision matters.

Sometimes I look back and laugh.

Life can be funny.

You can work so hard, stay disciplined, avoid shortcuts, reject tempting offers that could have given you quick money, and still feel like you're moving at the speed of a snail.

But one thing has remained true throughout this journey.

I'm better today than I was yesterday.

And I'm certain I will be better tomorrow than I am today.

So, why am I sharing this?

I don't know what you're going through presently.

Maybe you're feeling left behind.

Maybe everyone around you seems to be making it while you're wondering if your own time will ever come.

Maybe you're even considering compromising your values just to escape today's struggles.

Please don't.

Keep showing up.

Keep working.

Keep learning.

Keep building.

Hard work, diligence, integrity, and patience still matter.

They may not produce instant results. Sometimes they take longer than we expect.

But when the harvest finally comes, people will say, "You just became successful overnight."

They won't see the years of planting, watering, crying, failing, starting again, and refusing to quit.

The little seed you've been watering with consistency will surely germinate.

At the right time, it will grow.

It will bear fruit.

And by God's grace, your harvest will be greater than every season of waiting.

Remain steadfast.

Don't lose hope.

Your story is still being written.

The future is greater. ❤️

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I am DeLight, a Ghostwriter and a Storywriter ✍️✍️

Please chop kiss 😄🙈

#ItCanOnlyGetBetter