June started crazy with the national electricity grid being turned off due to a strike by the Nigerian Labour Congress. After that whatever else happened didn’t seem as terrible as the blackout period.
The rainy season kicked into full gear in June, so I’m grateful for the weather — especially on days when I don’t have to go anywhere.
Highlights of the Month
- I travelled interstate to Ibadan with about 200 other people to watch a football match. Even though Sporting Lagos (the team I supported) lost, it was still a memorable experience.
- I concluded a 3-month training programme on Growth and Marketing by Algrowithm. It’s the most impactful training I’ve had so far this year. I’d highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning about marketing.
- Watching season four of The Chosen, a historical drama about the most revolutionary person in history.
Noteworthy Stuff
???? Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help, And How to Reverse – Robert Lupton
“In the United States, there’s a growing scandal that we both refuse to see and actively perpetuate. What Americans avoid facing is that while we are very generous in charitable giving, much of that money is either wasted or actually harms the people it is targeted to help…How? Dependency. Destroying personal initiative. When we do for those in need what they have the capacity to do for themselves, we disempower them.”
Reading this book made me rethink how I help other people.
????Charity Detox: What Charity would look like if we cared about results – Robert Lupton
“Charity often hurts the people it was designed to help…The hard reality is that it takes more than compassionate hearts and generous gifts to elevate people in need out of poverty. In fact, giving to people in need what they could be gaining from their own initiative may well be the kindest way to destroy them.”
A follow-up book that says more about how to give in a helpful way.
???? “How To Succeed On Substack” – by Summer Brennan
“Most people who vaguely dream about becoming a writer are not willing to put in the work that it takes to get there. But the hard reality is that those who can’t or don’t want to put in the hard work of writing—fair or not—cannot expect to be read”
????Bill Gates has a problem (E) – Akimbo
In this podcast, Seth Godin talks about the issues NGOs and billionaires signed up to the giving pledge have to wrestle with. There’s so much charity work being done but are we measuring impact the right way?
???? The Purpose of Marriage is not for Happiness – Veteran Music Producer ID-CABASA
I didn’t watch this interview because of the title but because ID Cabasa is a fountain of knowledge. 95% of the interview is focused on other stuff, and only about 5% addresses marriage.
???? Schindler’s list
A beautiful story of generosity I’d recommend and watch again. The movie is on true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over a thousand Jews during World War II.
Initially motivated by profit, Schindler employed Jews in his factory to benefit from cheap labour. However, as he witnessed the brutality of the Nazis, he started using his influence and wealth to protect his workforce.
???? Every Streaming platform invited to a meeting. A funny 2 minutes of chat between the 5 major streaming platforms.
Quote ????
Give every opportunity your best shot.
Make that call, send that email, put in that proposal or application, start that business registration, sell that product or service. You have no idea what is on the other side of your action. There are miracles waiting.
Thanks for reading. See you on August 4th.