There You Are!
Constance Elizabeth Swaniker – ‘’Progress Unexplained’’ Kuenyehia Prize for Contemporary African Art, 2015 https://www.kuenyehiaprize.org. Used with permission
No man can hide from his fears.
Since they are part of him
They always know where to find him
No matter how hard we try
Trouble will find us
One way or the other
People had troubles
Since the pope was an altar boy
Come on, walk tall, keep your head high
- ''Feel Irie'' - Late African Reggae Star Lucky Dube, 1995
I love to run.
I have never been particularly good at it, but I adore the feeling of freedom, the cold air striking my face, and hip-hop and grime blaring through my earphones as I run through stunning scenery or watch the sun break free from its cloud cage in the mornings.
It takes a toll on my knees but invigorates my senses.
But the run is over sooner or later, and it’s…
Back to reality
Oops, there goes gravity
- Lose Yourself, Eminem
I also sometimes run from myself emotionally. I did this for decades. After hearing “No” over 300 times, experiencing the failure of my company, nearly going bankrupt, and feeling helpless after enduring multiple epileptic episodes, I thought I had to keep running.
I ran from those I cherished. My inability to fully commit to anything exasperated people around me, particularly my loved ones and business partners.
I kept running from my purpose, trying to fulfil the purposes others had for me and fit into the boxes they had created.
Was I a business strategist, a poet, a philosophical writer, a promoter of art, a business author, a pharmacist, a speaker, a blogger, an entrepreneur, or an academic?
People have tried to fit me into any of these categories. Yes, I am all of these, but I am also none.
TEDx speaker, podcast host, and thought leader Sanjiv Patel stated something similar in one of his posts:
‘’When people ask what I do, I’ve often struggled to define it.
Why? Perhaps it’s because I’ve stopped trying to fit into a label or title and chosen instead to embrace my Authentic Self.
It’s been both frustrating and liberating.
Frustrating because it means there isn’t a box for me to be placed in professionally.
Yet liberating because it allows me to follow my heart and pursue my true purpose’’:
I 100% share that sentiment, and I get frustrated because most books tell you to focus, do one thing well, and slay in your lane.
They are not wrong.
But I struggled because poetry, strategy, philosophy, entrepreneurship, thought leadership, faith, the High Street, legacy, pharmacy, and pain emerged whenever I tried. I have attempted to narrow this down to a specific focus but to no avail.
As I write this, I am arguing with one of my colleagues, who has tried categorising into one of these.
I could sense her frustration because I couldn’t.
So, being the recovering people pleaser that I am, I kept running.
Success finally came when I stopped running and turned to confront my true self. I didn’t entirely like what I saw,
Yes, I saw the pain, the trauma, the difficulties, the mistakes, the weaknesses, the rejections.
But I also saw the strengths, the gentleness, the love for people to succeed and the creativity.
Yes, I had scars, but I also had stars.
So, I found my real purpose buried in the pain, my authentic self, and my successes. Now that I think about it, my work reflects this.
To give just one example - my first book, Pay The Price.
What is it about?
Even Amazon gets confused.
It’s been grouped into
‘European poetry’, ‘
’Biographies of business celebrities’’.
‘’ Business consulting’’. ‘’
‘Philosophical Aspects of Music’
’ Self-employment’’ ‘’
Finance’’ ‘
’Law for Small Businesses’’
‘’Inspirational and Religious Poetry’’.
Yes, it's all of this. But at the same time, there are none of them either.
Strangely, it has beaten records and soared to #1 internationally in all these categories (and 10 others).
But there is a common thread:
My writing and actions focus on supporting individuals and businesses through their pain while reassuring them that success awaits at the end of the tunnel.
I have termed this Success Beyond Pain.
However, this revelation came only when I stopped running and faced myself.
And like me, I have met so many people who are running.
But maybe you need to stop 🚫. Turn around and face yourself.
You won’t like everything you see, but I guarantee you will find yourself if you look hard enough.
Michael Jackson puts it this way...
''I'm starting with the man in the mirror
I'm asking him to change his ways
And no message could've been any clearer
If they wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change.''
So, what, or who, are you running from?
For wherever you run to, there you are.
1. Work with me. I can public speak, mentor, write, or consult. Visit www.stevenadjei.co.uk to get a taste, read what people say about my work, and holler at stevenadjei@me.com to chat. I'd also love some feedback on the above article.
2. Buy my book. You won't regret it. It's won several awards and has been a #1 Amazon best-seller in EIGHTEEN different categories in multiple countries. (https://amzn.eu/d/3rHZVFw)
If you already have, I'd love an honest review on Amazon. Reviews really do help us out.:)
Please watch this space for information on my second book, Chasing Permanence, published by world-leading publishers Routledge.
3. Talk to me. I won't judge. My most vital values are empathy and resilience. As someone who's experienced much pain, I can help you overcome (or manage) your business pain and turn it into victory.
4. From 2025, this newsletter will have a more business-oriented tone in its articles in preparation for the release of my new book, Chasing Permanence. The audio version of Pay The Price and corresponding courses will accompany both books. Stay tuned.
Let's talk!
Rooting for you,
Steven.
