,

In today’s world, everyone is looking for ways to improve their lives. 

We’re always looking for the easiest and best ways to get:

• Fitter
• Richer
• Popular
• Healthier
• More beautiful

And so on…

And while in the process of doing this, we tend to try to model or copy what other successful people are doing, in the hopes of getting the same kind of results. 

But most times, you’ll find that what worked for someone else may not necessarily work for you — not as well at least. 

As much as there are general principles of success in life, business, career, et cetera, 

Not everyone’s circumstances and contexts are the same. 

So when listening to advice or trying to implement certain principles, you have to factor in your own unique circumstances and context…

…to see how you can modify those principles to suit your unique situation and get you the results you desire. 

Let me give you an example using something relatable. 

In my hostel, there are several people who go from room to room to sell different products daily. 

Let’s take the snacks guy for example. 

He sells snacks like meat pies, eggrolls, jam doughnuts, ring doughnuts, et cetera. 

And he usually comes around in the early hours of the morning between 8am and 10am to sell his products. 

And virtually everyday, he sells out dozens of those snacks. 

Now juxtaposition him with me who sells accessories and normally sells between 9pm and 11pm. 

Let’s imagine for a moment that because I observed that the snacks guy sells out his products in the early hours of the day, I decided to start making my own rounds that early in the day. 

That would be very foolish of me. 

Because, the reason that the snacks guy probably comes at that time…

…is that when most people wake up in the morning, they wake up hungry. 

And they usually wouldn’t mind a light snack to get them started on their day, before they go on to cook or buy proper food later in the day. 

Plus, those who are in a hurry to go out to classes, exams or anywhere else probably won’t have time to arrange for a proper meal. So they’d just settle for some light snacks instead. 

Besides, practically anyone who comes across the snacks guy at that time of the day would probably think twice about reaching for their pockets to pay for a couple of snacks after their nostrils have been serenaded by the alluring aroma of the freshly baked snacks. 

I know I would. (:

These are all factors that are uniquely tailored to favour the snacks guy’s business. 

So if I applied the same strategy for my own business, it would be a total disaster. 

Because unless a person’s cord or charger suddenly stopped working early that morning, I doubt anyone would be interested in listening to me yap about accessories amidst the rush of preparing to leave for classes, exams and the likes. 

Do you get what I am trying to explain to you now?

So as much as it is good to take advice or learn from successful people, 

It would be foolish of you not to take into account your own unique circumstances and context, and do the needful. 

I hope this email was as enlightening for you as it was for me. 

If it was, tell me your thoughts by replying to this email. 

See you in the next one.

— KD™