Thread by @subomiplumptre

Excellence is an elitist play in a corrupt society. A significant portion of your target audience won't patronise you. You'll have to turn down another segment to preserve your values. If you've not mastered the art of delayed gratification, excellence won't work for you in Naija

Being an introvert helped me in the "excellence game". I never learnt to hustle, so I developed other ways of building business leads - reputation, deep friendships, loyalty, dependability, social media etc.

Because I didn't understand social or cultural cues, my work was forced to speak for me. Because I hated business politics, I would gladly turn down "drama-filled" assignments. I was willing to wait and succeed much later in life.

Some of my business partnerships have lasted over 15 years. Loyalty and dependability pay. People like predictable results. Social media has opened up an international market. Testimonials travel much further.

I work on weekends. Much of my business happens on my laptop, on paper and in my head. I work best when I'm unhurried, so weekends are premium productive periods. I have brainstorms with myself.

I execute most deals on weekends, which is why it's difficult for me to do business with platforms that aren't active on weekends. In Nigeria, business stresses me on weekdays, especially Mondays.

Some lessons I've learned about business:
- You can't be everything to everyone. Know what you're good at. Have self esteem.
- Not everyone was born to be an entrepreneur, but if you know your stuff, you will part of the founding story of many businesses.

- If you love money and lack contentment & patience, corruption & stealing won't be far from you.
- You need a tribe. It's hard to succeed alone. There's no such thing as a self-made person.
- Those who lack values are a danger to themselves and society.

- Work/life balance is a generalisation. Find your own balance. Create your own life.