10 Life Lessons I Learned from Wisdom Ubani

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10 Life Lessons I Learned from Wisdom Ubani

Wisdom Ubani was an exceptional human being who lived a life of purpose, service, and impact. He was a mentor, a coach, a speaker, a writer, and a friend to many people around the world. His wisdom, humor, humility, and generosity inspired and challenged others to become their best selves, to pursue their dreams, and to make a difference in their communities. In this article, I share ten life lessons I learned from Wisdom Ubani, based on his teachings, examples, and stories.

1. Believe in Yourself

Wisdom often said, “You are uniquely designed for greatness. You have a purpose, a passion, and a power within you that no one else can duplicate.” He encouraged people to discover their strengths, talents, and values, and to leverage them to create value for others. He also reminded people that they are not defined by their past, their failures, or their critics, but by their choices, their actions, and their mindset. He encouraged people to cultivate self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-awareness, and to surround themselves with positive influences and feedback.

Example: Wisdom shared his own story of overcoming poverty, prejudice, and self-doubt to become a successful entrepreneur, author, and speaker. He showed how he used his passion for education, leadership, and personal growth to help others unleash their potential and improve their lives.

2. Build Relationships

Wisdom believed that relationships are the currency of life, and that one’s success and happiness depend on the quality and depth of their connections with others. He taught people how to communicate effectively, listen actively, empathize sincerely, and resolve conflicts constructively. He also modeled how to show appreciation, respect, and generosity to others, and how to build a network of mentors, peers, and supporters who can provide feedback, accountability, and inspiration.

Example: Wisdom formed a close relationship with his mentor, John Maxwell, who helped him develop his leadership skills, expand his vision, and publish his first book. He also built a supportive community of readers, fans, and friends who valued his insights, humor, and humanity.

3. Learn Continuously

Wisdom believed that learning is a lifelong journey that enriches and empowers one’s mind, heart, and soul. He encouraged people to read widely, attend seminars, workshops, and conferences, and to seek feedback from experts and peers. He also emphasized the importance of applying what one learns to real-life situations, and of practicing mastery and excellence in one’s craft.

Example: Wisdom read over 400 books a year, on various topics such as psychology, history, leadership, entrepreneurship, spirituality, and communication. He also traveled extensively, to different countries and cultures, to broaden his perspectives and experience diversity.

4. Serve Others

Wisdom believed that serving others is the noblest and most fulfilling way of living. He taught people how to identify and meet the needs, wants, and desires of others, and how to create value for them. He also showed how to use one’s talents, resources, and time to contribute to causes and projects that improve the world.

Example: Wisdom founded the Wisdom Leadership Academy, a non-profit organization that provides leadership training, mentoring, and scholarships to youth from underprivileged backgrounds in Africa. He also donated a portion of his book sales to charity and volunteered in various community projects.

5. Overcome Obstacles

Wisdom believed that obstacles are opportunities in disguise, and that one’s ability to overcome them reflects one’s resilience, adaptability, and creativity. He taught people how to embrace challenges, setbacks, and failures as learning opportunities, and how to use their strengths, skills, and support systems to navigate through them.

Example: Wisdom faced many obstacles in his life, such as poverty, racism, health issues, and naysayers, but he overcame them by relying on his faith, his family, and his purpose. He also used his obstacles as chances to grow, learn, and inspire others.

6. Communicate Effectively

Wisdom believed that communication is the lifeblood of relationships, influence, and impact, and that one’s ability to communicate effectively depends on one’s clarity, empathy, and authenticity. He taught people how to express their ideas, feelings, and values in a clear, concise, and compelling manner, and how to listen actively, ask questions, and provide feedback.

Example: Wisdom gave speeches, seminars, and interviews to thousands of people, using his wit, humor, and storytelling skills to engage and enlighten them. He also wrote several books, articles, and blog posts, using his insights, experience, and research to inform and inspire readers.

7. Manage Time Wisely

Wisdom believed that time is the most precious resource one has, and that one’s ability to manage time wisely reflects one’s priorities, discipline, and focus. He taught people how to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound) goals, how to plan their days, weeks, and months, and how to eliminate distractions and interruptions.

Example: Wisdom used a planner, a journal, and a timer to keep track of his priorities, tasks, and deadlines. He also delegated some of his work to his team and outsourced other tasks to freelancers, to free up his time and energy for his core activities.

8. Embrace Diversity

Wisdom believed that diversity is the spice of life, and that one’s ability to embrace and appreciate diversity reflects one’s empathy, respect, and curiosity. He taught people how to value and celebrate differences of culture, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, and background, and how to seek common ground and mutual understanding.

Example: Wisdom grew up in a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-lingual family in Nigeria, where he learned to understand and appreciate the richness of diversity. He also traveled to many countries, where he learned from different traditions, customs, and beliefs.

9. Have Fun

Wisdom believed that life is meant to be enjoyed, and that one’s ability to have fun reflects one’s creativity, humor, and positive attitude. He taught people how to find joy and laughter in everyday activities, how to pursue hobbies and interests that energize and inspire them, and how to share their happiness with others.

Example: Wisdom loved to sing, dance, and play games with his friends and family. He also used humor and satire in his speeches and books, to entertain and educate his audiences.

10. Leave a Legacy

Wisdom believed that everyone has the potential to leave a positive and lasting legacy, and that one’s legacy reflects one’s values, accomplishments, and impact on others. He taught people how to define their legacy vision, how to align their actions with their values, and how to measure their success by the positive influence they have on others.

Example: Wisdom’s legacy includes his books, his speeches, his coaching, his mentorship, and his leadership academy, all of which have inspired and empowered thousands of people to become better leaders, learners, and servants.

Conclusion:

Wisdom Ubani was a rare gem of a human being, who left a profound impact on many lives, including mine. His wisdom, humor, humility, and generosity continue to inspire and challenge me to become a better version of myself. I hope that these ten life lessons I learned from him will also help you to unleash your potential, to serve others, and to leave a positive and lasting legacy. May Wisdom’s memory and legacy be a blessing to us all.