Suddenly, I saw a bunch of papers scattered while trying to clear my file cabinet; I dipped my fingers to pick the file and what I saw was a pile of dividend check that I never attempt to cash because the value of the individual checks were quite small: N90.00; N180.00; N400.00; N350.00; N750.00; etc. I had so much of these expired checks and I never bothered to cash them.
For two years now, I had this weird philosophy; “why bother to go to the bank and fill their check deposit form for these small amount of money when my valuable time could be used doing something useful or making bigger kills”. Was I amazed when I summed all the expired checks together it amounted to thirty seven thousand, six hundred and fifty naira thirty kobo (N37, 650.30).
Did I hear you say whew? Yeah that’s what I said too; I had to knock myself a couple of time to check how foolish I had been. This experience really got me thinking of what I actually disregard in my life or should I put it this way; “why do I actually disregard anything at all?” This led me to a message I had been trying to avoid teaching but I am always inspired to this same path;
As entrepreneurs, we always disregard things we consider useless and aim for what we perceive will give us a great ah! I sure will tell you that adding up those expired checks actually gave me a greater ah than the prospect of making 3 million naira. The check was always with me but the three million is a prospect. Then I actually started appreciating small things because I really knew that summing small things together makes mighty things.
I looked at all the great heroes in the bible and I realized that they started small before reaching the pinnacle of their career. I am yet to see an entrepreneur that influenced the social economic status of the world that did not start small. I was amazed when I read the story of fortune 500 companies that changed the lifestyle of the world and I was amazed at how they started. The Americans call this phenomenal; “bootstrapping”.
Why then do we strive to start big time? There are times when I need more money for an opportunity but I do not have it; I go to God and pray for more money and most of the time I get peace but the money does not fall to my laps. Why the peace Lord? Then suddenly it dawned on me; I really do not need the money; all I needed was to use whatever I have to the direction of where I am going to and I will surely get there.
It is not the amount you have but what you do with what you have!
This is the secret that has eluded so many; let me tell you a secret; you see this site; yes this very one you are reading. It gave me enough economic power to leave my lucrative job. This site was not even one tenth as presentable as it was when it gave me this economic power. This small site was a leverage that made me put my first lump sum of a million naira in my bank account.
The amount of influence I have achieved with this small site is unprecedented; trust me I have indeed met people; professors, UN African representatives, NGO leaders, Colonels in the Military, etc. I was recently invited by an African body in Norway for a consulting gig. I stayed in a hotel in China for 20 days without paying; all because of this tiny site that was humble to behold.
This site reminded me of Moses in the burning bush; God asked him what he had in his hand; ” just a stick that he used in tendering his father-in-law’s sheep. Just a stick! That stick delivered a whole nation from bondage and put Moses in the Bible Hall of Fame. What do you have that you regard as useless; is it that job you always want to leave? In that job may be the key to your dreams; is that friend that you hardly talk to? He/she may be your freedom lever; please, kindly fill the gap.
The campaign trail in America has been quite revealing; Obama’s strategy of small money was what got him the Democratic nomination. He was gifted, so are millions of people in the world who have not seen the limelight but he went out of the box to grasp small monies from common men. Trust me; this is not the populous of all strategy, to regard the useless of all monies to run for a presidential campaign.
You see my dear readers; this is the secret of raising money. Jesus was able to use five loaves and two fishes to feed 5 thousand million people. David was able to kill Goliath with that sling and a piece of stone. Joseph was able to tap into an unpopular talent of interpreting dreams to become the number 2 man of a super power in the world. Moses used a stick; a fringing shepherd stick!
I am not done with this topic yet; I have not analyzed and synthesized the story of Jesus feeding the 5 thousand people with 5 loaves and two fishes. I am going to another level with these small money thingy; just stick with me, you will not regret you did because God keeps giving me the revelations freely and freely will I dump it to you. I got an MBA paper to finish; I got to run. Please, take earnest heed to what you have read, ciao….
EARLY THIS YEAR, I SURPRISED TWO COMMENTATORS OF THIS SITE WITH A FOUR GIGABYTE IPOD. I AM PLANNING ANOTHER SURPRISE: THIS MAY BE BIGGER THAN YOU CAN IMMAGINE. WHAT CAN I SAY GOD HAS INDEED BLESSED ME!
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30 comments
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September 12, 2008 at 11:09 am (UTC 1)
Hi, Dipo
This is indeed an eye opener. Like the saying, little drops of water makes a mighty ocean. I wonder hao many of us are guilty of this act beacuse personally, am guilty.
Finally I have summoned the courage to write. I must confess that I have been an ardent reader and folower of this site.
Keep up the god work.
Cheers
September 12, 2008 at 12:01 pm (UTC 1)
Hi dipo,
You have always been a source of inspiration to me. This piece finally made me write.
Am soo guilty of not taking the power of “little money ” into consideration. I intend to start something soon. I got the final push i need now from this piece.i will let you in on it.
Thank you and keep inspiring us.
September 12, 2008 at 1:02 pm (UTC 1)
thanks dipo. this is thought-provoking. it is advisable not to ignore the little part, the starting point, the very begining, the first step. it matters not to ignore the small points. a lecturer once advised that it was easier to gather the little marks than attempting to gather the higher markes.
thanks once again.
September 12, 2008 at 1:08 pm (UTC 1)
Dipo: I must say your most recent post is quite humbling. It’s said that the way up is down.
For some time now, I did convince myself of launching out on a project with the available funds at my disposal.
Two weeks ago, precisely on sunday morning while preparing for church service ( i’m a member of Living Faith Church Abuja) the Holt Spirit said to me “Christian, have you noticed that in time past almost all you’ve accomplished was when things weren”t convinient for you to launch out….( i.e. i tooka bold step then not minding how i’ll accomplish the goal & i accomplished it).
I was amazed by what the Holy Spirit said, It forced me to constantly rely on the Holy Spirit as my PILOT on the earth.
No doubt, you’ll agree with me that when the Holy Spirit speaks to you—You can’t doubt it, becuase, His Counselling/Instructions is always accompanied with PEACE OF MIND.
The experience made me to be further daring as to taking Calculated Risk in the things i ought to do—to live a comfortable life and be a blessing to humanity.
Dipo, after reading your newest post—I would like to say that indeed—Great Things Starts Small. IF YOU JUMP UP—YOU’LL FALL DOWN, BUT IF YOU GROW UP (Little-by-Little) YOU’LL STAY UP.
We shall succeed and make the world a better place !
My regards to your Lovely wife and your Daughter Issabella (Hope i got her name correctly, forgive i didn’t).
Do have a splendid weekend.
Many Thanks
Christian E . A.
September 12, 2008 at 1:19 pm (UTC 1)
I am greatly impressed by all the Balanced Diet (Spiritual, Academical, Financial, Emotional, etc) write ups from you to us all on this site. You and your family are indeed GREAT BLESSINGS to this generation because you have made indelible impacts that has affected and will continue to affect our generation for better. As the saying goes, “Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.” — Dr. Wayne Dyer.
I appreciate God for your life and wish you success in your endeavours in Jesus name. Your success is Limitless!
September 13, 2008 at 6:07 am (UTC 1)
Indeed the Bible says though your beginning is small, your latter end shall greatly increase!Its the little things that doesnt make sense tthat makes sense at the end of the day as i will alsays say”there is sense in the nonsense”!You are indeed an inspiration and this article just goes to show that we should not take things for granted, like you rightly observed those that have made it started from an humble beginning…name some of the who and who in Nigeria, they started from some where, look at the Tantalizers, sweet sensation,Tastee fried chicken and the progress they have made, they started from some where but its so sad that people of our generation want quick money, no work, nothing and the yahoo crazy culture is not helping matters!its so sad that when we go out of the country, we get embarassed by people because of the email scams received daily by them from Nigerians as if there are no hard working Nigerians that have made their money genuinely and from a humble start! and my thought is if this Yahoo boys can be so creative with their writting in trying to scam people, they can put good use to that talent and write for nollywood, write small stories and before they know it, they will make it if they keep at the writting instead of the scam!Dipo, i don’t know how we can all help but pls this article is a crusade and a message that our youths out there need ,to make some informed choices. My task now is to pass it on to as many people i can reach.God bless you real good and to everyone reading this:Pls take that seemingly small step, it may just be all you need to make the BIG difference in your life! God bless Nigeria!
Note-Am guilty of leaving out those small shares cheques too and not taking those small steps, but i have taken some that have resulted in some phenomenal results i am proud of too!
September 15, 2008 at 8:00 am (UTC 1)
Wow! Another eye opener. Alwayz blessed by your articles. I sure would take heed. Bestwishes in your MBA program
September 15, 2008 at 3:29 pm (UTC 1)
This is simply a Bible based niggetts for greatness.
The Bible declares:
“Who has despised the days of small things? “Zechariah 4:10
and “Though thy beginning was small, yet thy later end shall greatly increase” Job 8:7
Someone has said, it is not a crime to start small but it is a crime to remain small.
I have always heard people advise others to “make the leap into entrepreneurship”. IMO, you don’t make the leap into it rather you grow into it, if you must start from scratch. Making the leap speaks of big time adventure into it from the word GO and yet many of them grew into it from the scratch.
“What u do with what u have at the moment speaks volume of what u will do with what u need when u finally getsit”- Prince
Thank you Dipo and best wishes in your MBA programme.
You are gradually pulling a lot of people out of thier shells…lol
Luv U!
September 15, 2008 at 3:44 pm (UTC 1)
@All
Please get me right!
After going thru the various comments on this post, i felt it is right to clarify my myself on a segment of my comment with respect to those who have been visiting this blog but have not commented until now.
Most times i read the post and comment immediately before reading the comments from readers
I stated that “You are gradually pulling a lot of people out of thier shells” and by this, i meant, those who have been having the urge to go start something but have been hesitant about it.
In one of previous comment, stated that Dipo’s definition of entreprenuer, has liberated a lot of souls and this latest statment is in the same light.
I know why i taken the pains to clarify this issue.
@ Christian,
Spot on on this:
IF YOU JUMP UP—YOU’LL FALL DOWN, BUT IF YOU GROW UP (Little-by-Little) YOU’LL STAY UP.
In line with my take on the advise to make “the leap”
Luv U all!
September 16, 2008 at 2:43 pm (UTC 1)
first time on your blog, LOVE IT!
September 17, 2008 at 10:28 am (UTC 1)
Very interesting and thank you..U still vnt finished one of ur posts.
September 17, 2008 at 10:38 am (UTC 1)
thanks dipo.
can’t add a thing but this-
hope the goodies will permeate to more than two this time around but those two did really deserve it.
balogun
September 17, 2008 at 12:45 pm (UTC 1)
Thanks for this post. Great things have a humble beginning.
http://faithfulsnetwork.com/index.php
September 17, 2008 at 2:36 pm (UTC 1)
I just resolved to make my comments after reading any posts, so this is my humble beginning maybe to starting my own blog.
I have been encouraged to do the little I can instead of waiting till I can do the “very big” I would have loved to because great things start small. God Bless you.
September 18, 2008 at 6:36 am (UTC 1)
@ royalprince
whats up buddy?been a while…
@ biddy
nice take..
@ dipo
egbon,i cant wait 4 season 2.keep up the good work.
September 26, 2008 at 10:02 am (UTC 1)
Dear Sir,
I saw a link to your site. I am in a bit of hurry at the moment but it does look like you have got some interesting read here. I noticed some typos on “The power of small money”. I could proof read pro bono for you if you please.
September 26, 2008 at 6:39 pm (UTC 1)
i am blessed by ur write up. i am particularly impressed by ur style of writing.
October 1, 2008 at 12:17 am (UTC 1)
indeed, u are ablessing to this generation
October 16, 2008 at 7:53 am (UTC 1)
You lifted my spirit this morning God bless you and give you more wisdom.
Thanks
November 18, 2008 at 12:54 pm (UTC 1)
You are quite right in your post. Most of us want to start with a big bang. That desire often distracts us from seeing the little things that could result in that big bang if we patiently stick to making use of them. You were given what you have now for a reason. Quite looking outside and look inwards more often
December 22, 2008 at 7:36 am (UTC 1)
This peiece is quite revealing. it reminds me of the fact that small steps rhave great consequence. the seed will always be small relative to the plant or tree.
March 25, 2009 at 7:45 am (UTC 1)
Good point, you know its better to make do with what you have than to …….
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April 26, 2011 at 8:43 pm (UTC 1)
Hi. just saw this piece now and I need to say I was touched.. reminded me of my own habit of overlooking small stuff..
Thanks.
April 27, 2011 at 9:19 am (UTC 1)
Thanks and quite fantastic to inspire me more of the consequence of adopting the power of little money so called.Would be greatly pleased IF you keep this on till ever.Thanks and Godbless!
May 27, 2011 at 4:32 pm (UTC 1)
this is indeed an eye opener. i have alot of my dividends warrant i refuse to claim. My God help us oh
June 13, 2011 at 6:02 pm (UTC 1)
infact God will bless u, u make me like my self and wot i am doing, cos lastweek i was asking God starting little, that i cannot do it but now i have seen d reason for that i will open a cup in my mind for little tin to come in cos it result to big tins
once more God bless u for changing my life
thanks
June 29, 2011 at 5:44 pm (UTC 1)
Thank u very much for sharing the secrets of ur success with us. That explains y u will continue to be blessed and u will continue to be a blessing
August 21, 2011 at 4:24 pm (UTC 1)
Great things they say,come in small package, never despise the time of little beginning. You have once again inspired me to focus on how to turn my dream around. I am the Editor-in-Chief of African Development Magazine which i co -founded with a friend but getting it out have been a challenge after the preview edition was published.
I will always look forward to read you.
August 27, 2011 at 3:41 am (UTC 1)
You have a valid point there about not how much you have but what you do with it.
A few cents at a time might seem small but wait till time elapses. Sum up those cents and you are having some cool amount of money at hand.
Really a simple way to riches
November 8, 2011 at 12:07 pm (UTC 1)
Dipo, I will stand very firm to stay that, this is the very best motivating piece I have come in contact with this year. It is brief, direct and very inspiring. I’m stronger now with this blog. Keep the good work flowing.
MULTIPLE STREAMS OF INCOME: Dipo Tepede.POeT says:
September 27, 2008 at 10:38 am (UTC 1)
[...] blogging about «the power of small money», I was going to immediately start pouring my empiricism on the above-subject head but [...]
SMALL MONEY PART 2: Dipo Tepede.POeT says:
October 3, 2008 at 4:59 am (UTC 1)
[...] movie; actually inspired me to continue this second part of «The Power of Small Money». I won’t go deep into the plot to avoid spoiling the fun for prospective cinemagoers. It is [...]
This is Nollywood!: Dipo Tepede.POeT says:
December 22, 2008 at 6:47 am (UTC 1)
[...] you have, to start small, read my interview with an Indian entrepreneur or read my articles on Small Money. In the talk above, you can imagine the shock on everyone’s face when they said the budget to make [...]