Yello, anyone there? When the "Yello" network recently announced a reduction in the price of its internet stick, I was one of those who heaved a sigh of relief. The reduction coincided with the campaign on its new face of customer service.

However, I have personally been to their friendship centre on Opebi, Lagos, several times, and the response has been the same. The staff informs very courteously that they have run out of the device and should soon get new stock.

However, as you are entering your car, one of the security men there walks up to you to ask if you want to purchase a data card. You ask "how much?", and promptly you are told "N10,000 (ten thousand Naira only)" – a clear N1,500 above the advertised price! Is this the new face of customer service? Anyone listening?

An American tourist was visiting a little Chinese village, whose inhabitants were predominantly fishermen. He was excited at the rustic life and the simplicity of the people.

He was particularly intrigued by a particular man that he saw who, at that time of the day, had already brought his boat to shore, washed his nets and now laid swinging back and forth in a hammock while puffing away at a pipe.

For our tourist friend, this was an unjustifiable waste of precious time. His capitalist instincts were fired up and he drew closer to the fisherman to educate him on a few things. In a typically western patronising, albeit condescending tone, the American tourist quipped:
"Hey my friend, why are you sitting swinging and pipe-puffing when you could still be working? The day is still very young. You could still catch more fish"
"I see", came the sharp reply, "so that is what can happen?"
"Well, if you catch more fish, you could make more money"
Again, the reply, "So that is what can happen?"
"If you made more money, you could buy another boat"
"And then?"
"You can employ more hands, catch more fish and make more money still."
"And then?"
"You enlarge your operations, buy more boats, employ more staff and you can catch as much fish as you like"
"Then what next?" By now, our American friend was getting exasperated at what he felt was the limited vision of this rustic Chinese fisherman:
"You can work when you like, retire early and you can have plenty of time to enjoy yourself and have a good time and live the life of your dreams"

The Chinese fisherman stared hard at the American and calmly asked him, "So what exactly do you think am I doing right now?"

Lesson? What is really enough? I read a sickening report last week about a retired Nigerian Army General, who made a profit of $500million from the sale of an oil block but did not know what to do with the money. And this is in spite of the glaring debilitating poverty that pervades the land.

This shows you how far from everyday reality the Nigerian elite are! This is the tragedy of wealth without purpose. If you make money before knowing what to do with it, you may end up living a miserable life or spending it on frivolities

Every man must discover his success index. This is the secret of true contentment. It is called purpose discovery. Success, for some, is a happy family. For some, it is working in the service of others. For others still, it may mean acquiring wealth or position in order to exert greater influence in the society. You may find your fulfillment in being a great teacher or an accomplished medical doctor.

Whatever it is for you, define it so that you can know when you find it. That way, you will not join the rat race. Even if you win in the rat race, you will still be a rat at the end of the race! This is what true contentment is about.

It’s about enjoying where you are on your way to where you are going. It has nothing to do with being limited in your thinking or vision.

The best definition of success that I have come across is one’s ability to internalise and accomplish God’s purpose for one’s life. You were never called to compete with anyone except yourself.

If you do not know your destination in life, somebody will suggest one to you and you will not be able to refuse. Quit trying to beat someone else at anything. It is one of the shortest routes to an early grave.

True success is not necessarily about being the best at all cost. It’s about DOING your best at all times. If you do that long enough, who knows, you might just end up being the best, and you will not have  hypertension getting there!...continued.

Remember, the sky is not your limit, God is!