Head for a quick rise, you are heading for a quick fall
This is one of my favourite quotes from Bishop David Oyedepo.
The first time I heard this quote was during a season when I struggled with juggling multiple things at once. I was primarily driven by fear, and my goal at the time was to aim at multiple targets, hoping that one would stick.
In retrospect, I realise that the entire plan was flawed; the goal was not to build sustainability but simply to achieve a result. Focus was out of the picture because there was no clear sense of direction. The slightest setbacks threw me off balance because I prioritised speed over an established goal, and it was only a matter of time before I stumbled. The execution of my plan was not rooted in doing small, compounding activities daily; it was based on consistent, long-term building. This was definitely a shaky foundation built on wrong motives.
Imagine this scenario: you have a vision you aim to achieve, this vision/goal seems almost impossible, it seems miles away from you. This vision, although ‘unrealistic’, has sparked a fire within you that will drive your actions towards The Vision. This fire is not like a matchstick or a candle; rather, it’s like a furnace constantly fed with wood, creating a bigger fire. This fire will burn until it consumes everything, birthing ashes I’d term Results.
The Quiet Discipline of Building Slowly, four powerful words. The phrase ‘Quiet Discipline’ refers to the subtle act of deliberately working towards a specific vision. It is the discipline of consistently showing up for what matters to you, even when no one is watching and despite the trials, failures and difficulties you encounter along the way. It is the ability to keep going without needing praise, recognition, or applause to remain focused and committed to the work. It’s unrealistic to think growth will be seamless and quick; it’s not linear, it’s not perfect, it’s not favourable.
The main features of Quiet Discipline are inner strength and the development of a stable practice of profitable habits, which will aid sustainable results. This is where ‘Building Slowly’ comes in. It creates a strong foundation which leads to sustainable results. Building slowly also involves working without unrealistic expectations of oneself. It involves the principle of 1% better every day, patience with oneself, and belief in one's abilities, with the belief that results will definitely manifest.
The quiet discipline of building slowly is not a casual ability; it’s an intentional skill developed through a strong determination and belief in the ability that one’s tireless effort must bear results. You could term it a knowing/conviction. The crucial lessons from consistently building slowly are often overlooked in the pursuit of instant gratification. Consistently building slowly builds grit, hard work, and resilience. It differentiates between those who will soar and those who will remain grounded by the pursuit of quick pleasure. Humans are wired to see until they believe; We are wired to seek fast results. Hence, we forget that it will take one more hit to crack a wall after 49 compounded efforts of no visible result.
This simply means you are not grounded properly. You built too fast and skipped the necessary lessons, probably didn’t get anywhere, or the results weren't sustainable. This principle applies to everything. Whatever you input will determine your output. Input: resilient effort, output: resilient results.
The world proves that the true winners are those built on a grounded foundation. A prominent example is Bishop David Oyedepo; his story accurately represents building quietly and consistently. Despite knowing God’s vision for his life, relenting wasn’t an option in the facade that ‘God is in control’. Bishop David Oyedepo understood that ‘faith without works is dead’. He built relentlessly, quietly, and on a solid foundation. What we see today is years of consistent learning, the pursuit of God, and the application of knowledge. It took him great hard work, determination and sacrifice. Sometimes, the most important work happens behind closed doors. This proves that reality can be fake, as expressed on social media, which applauds loud discipline.
Another prominent example is Seyi Vodi, considered Nigeria's wealthiest fashion designer. His journey reflects patience; he started his tailoring journey while serving in the NYSC. After being rejected by a banking firm, he had to fall back on alternatives. Over time, with consistency and determination, he founded Testimony Fabrics in 2001 and rebranded it as Vodi Group in 2003. Seyi Vodi’s journeys reminds that things don’t have to be all figured out. Sometimes, all you need to gain results is diligence in what your hands findeth to do.
Conclusively, although satisfaction comes from quick results, the real joy is the ability to sustain those results in the long run. Small improvements consistently repeated produce great results over time.
