JEREMIAH BUABENG: Don’t close the door!

The writer, Jeremiah Buabeng

Edward is an amazing graphic designing student in one of Ghana’s tertiary institutions. When he was tasked to find a firm to do his annual long vacation internship, he was at his wit’s end. Internships spots in companies are so hard to come by these days. When he finally got one, there was a hitch. The company had a spot for at least one more staff but they were not enthusiastic about accepting an intern. After persisting, he was told the story.

A vacation or two ago, they had accepted an intern from that same institution and he had messed up so badly that they had resolved not to accept any more interns. The young man set up his own “business” on the side and snatched customers from his employer. He would do his own deals and take money from customers without accounting to the business. Unfortunate for the company, that year’s vacation was extended due to lecturer’s strike action so he stayed on for much longer than was expected and caused a lot of havoc. By the time they realized what was happening, their business was almost on its knees. To their credit, they did accept Edward.

This story is evidence of how several times doors are opened for people and they mess up so badly that they shut it to others. Many of us get opportunities to grow ourselves but we mess up so badly that we prevent other people from accessing those same opportunities. It happens in several areas of life. On many tertiary campuses, you would hear that students have resolved not to vote for a candidate from one school or department because the last person from there didn’t give a good account of himself.

A door was opened but someone’s misdemeanor shut it. I have heard people complain severally and viscerally about how unfriendly or inaccessible some high profile or influential people are. Trust me, usually they didn’t start that way. A door was opened but someone’s misconduct shut it.

So the next time YOU get an opportunity, remember that there’s someone coming after you who will also need that opportunity. It may be your friend, your brother or even your son or daughter.

So?

aDon’t mess up.

Don’t shut the door to others.

The writer is a motivational speaker, author, preacher and corporate trainer. His Email address is: [email protected]