2025: A Simple Practical 4-Step Plan To Build Solid Finance Starting From The 2024 Christmas Holiday

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Many people I have met on the Nigerian web space and streets are lamenting their financial difficulties. In fact, it's as if this year's Christmas has been declared a “mourning Christmas” across the country.

Not only that many Nigerians died struggling for mere food, many living Nigerians probably want to die due to hardship. Amid all this, one unavoidable bitter truth is that MOST POOR NIGERIAN YOUTHS ARE POOR AS A RESULT OF LAZINESS. For example, if you cannot read this article to the end, whereas someone like you wrote it, then, it's clear that you're lazy no matter how you might hate me for saying it.

So, if you are willing to THROW AWAY LAZINESS, come with me and follow these practical steps to finally get your finances right for the year 2025 to be born in a few days from now.

Christmas holiday marks the birth of Jesus Christ. So should it mark a rebirth for everyone. An important part of this rebirth that no one seems to be talking about is FINANCIAL REBIRTH.

Believe it or not, poverty is NOT godly🙅‍♂️. So, if Jesus Christ truly saved the world, this must include FINANCIAL SALVATION. If you can come with me one of these days as I go on my missions in the hinterlands, you'd see kids going extremely hungry, and you will agree without a doubt that poverty is of the devil.

Whatever arrangement that makes people poor is devilish. But that's only a part of the story.

I will have time to talk more about that on another occasion. For now, I am here to share a piece of strong inspiration on a simple practical 4-step plan anyone can take to overcome financial struggles in 2025.

The Action Steps Start From Christmas Holiday 2024, That Is, Now

Providentially and relevantly, the Christmas holiday provides ample opportunity for this all-important financial rebirth to kick off.

Again, it's significant to realize that Christmas falls at an intersection between one year and another. So, it's a highly suitable opportunity for stock-taking and a new beginning.

People, I'm strongly inspired. Don't take this as “one of those things you see on the internet”. Instead, PAY A RAPT ATTENTION TO THESE SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL ACTION STEPS FOR USING THIS CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY AS A TOOL TO KICK OFF A FINANCIAL REBIRTH FOR YOURSELF...

Action Step One: Sit Down And Take Time To List All Your Skills

Action Step Two: Use Your Skills To Create A Beautiful And Detailed CV

Action Step Three: Share Your CV With Everyone You Know Who Is Connected (You Will See Exactly How To Take Advantage Of The Christmas Holiday To Do This)

Action Step Four: Prioritize Quality Service Delivery Once You Start Getting The Connections

How Exactly Do You Go About These 3 Action Steps?

Let's talk about this…

Action Step One: Sit Down And Take Time To List All Your Skills

Simply put, your skills are those things you can do better than most other people on your street or community. These skills include hard skills and soft skills. From another dimension, they also include your transferable and non- transferable skills.

I discovered that the easiest way to build wealth from ground zero is to be able to do for people what they can't do for themselves. In other words, your skillset is your biggest secret of wealth creation. Fortunately, EVERYONE HAS A SKILLSET. But what often remains is to utilize the skillset well.

Fortunately, that's exactly what we're talking about here and now.

I also discovered that many people have hot-cake skills that they don't value. Therefore, these skills fail to bear the desired fruits. For example, as a classroom teacher, I was good at making complex topics easy for students but I was ashamed to introduce myself as a classroom teacher. Eventually, it's the skill that finally uplifted me to where I am today.

Also, family and friends often relied on me to do graphics for them, but I never considered monetizing this skill for years because I thought I wasn't a good enough graphic artist. Eventually, this is one of the skills earning me the most money today and all my clients are super happy with me both in Nigeria and overseas.

What are your hard and soft skills? And what are your transferable and non-transferable skills?

Your hard skills are your specific, technical abilities while your soft skills are your non-technical, personality-driven skills that help you interact and work with other people.

Many people tend to look down on their soft skills. Yet, quite often, soft skills are more needed in the industries than the hard skills.

Here are some examples of hard skills and soft skills to help you in identifying yours:

Hard Skills

1. Programming languages: Python, Java, JavaScript, C++ and more
2. Data analysis: Excel, SQL, Tableau, Power BI, and more.
3. Digital marketing: Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, SEO, etc.
4. Graphic design: Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
5. Language proficiency: English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, French, etc.
6. Software proficiency: Microsoft Office, Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.
7. Accounting: QuickBooks, Xero, financial modeling, etc.
8. Engineering: CAD design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, etc.

Soft Skills

1. Communication: verbal and written communication, presentation skills, etc.
2. Teamwork: Collaboration, leadership, conflict resolution, etc.
3. Time management: Prioritization, organization, meeting deadlines, etc.
4. Problem-solving: Critical thinking, analytical skills, creative thinking, etc.
5. Adaptability: Flexibility, resilience, ability to learn quickly, etc.
6. Leadership: strategic thinking, decision-making, motivating others, etc.
7. Interpersonal skills: empathy, active listening, building relationships, etc.
8. Emotional intelligence: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, etc.

Transferable And Non-transferable Skills 

Transferable skills are skills that can be applied across different industries, jobs, or contexts while non-transferable skills are applicable in particular industries, jobs or contexts only.

Here are some examples of transferable and non-transferable skills:

Transferable Skills

1. Communication: Writing, speaking, presentation, and negotiation skills can be applied across various industries and roles.
2. Problem-solving: Critical thinking, analytical, and creative problem-solving skills are valuable in many different contexts.
3. Time management: Prioritization, organization, and meeting deadlines are essential skills in most professions.
4. Leadership: Strategic thinking, decision-making, and motivating others can be applied in various leadership roles.
5. Collaboration: Teamwork, conflict resolution, and building relationships are crucial skills in many industries.
6. Adaptability: Flexibility, resilience, and ability to learn quickly are valuable in today's fast-paced work environment.
7. Data analysis: Data interpretation, statistical analysis, and data visualization skills can be applied in various fields.

Non-Transferable Skills

1. Technical expertise specific to an industry: For example, knowledge of medical procedures, financial regulations, or specialized software.
2. Equipment operation: Skills specific to operating heavy machinery, medical equipment, or other specialized tools.
3. Domain-specific knowledge: In-depth knowledge of a particular domain, such as law, medicine, or engineering.
4. Specialized certifications: Licenses or certifications required for specific professions, such as law, medicine, or accounting.
5. Industry-specific software: Proficiency in software specific to an industry, such as Autodesk for architecture or Adobe Creative Cloud for graphic design.

Action Step Two: Use Your Skills To Create A Beautiful And Detailed CV

One thing you will notice while taking time to list your skills is that it will help you to be more self-aware. In other words, you will come to realize many abilities you have that you didn't really know you have.

Now those abilities are what you will use to connect to opportunities that will fetch you enormous wealth. Why? There are many people who lack those abilities but need someone who has them.

However, there are so many other people competing with you for attention. So you need to be able to present yourself well to make your skillset attractive to those who need them. This is where a beautiful and detailed CV comes in.

Indeed, while creating your CV, see it as a special project of personal branding. Actually, that's what it is. So, take it really seriously. Then, alongside your downloadable CV, create a LinkedIn account if you don't already have one.

For me, the rule of thumb in making such a CV is this: If you are an expert in a particular field and you are seeking an opportunity in that field only, put more emphasis on your technical and non-transferable skills relevant to that field. But, if you are ready to work in a wide range of opportunities, put heavy emphasis on your soft and transferable skills.

For example, when I designed a CV for the young pharmacist Emmanuel Ogeh recently, he was great at supplying his skills with a mixture of hard, soft, transferable and non-transferable skills. Since he is seeking to work in pharmaceutical job roles in the United States, he placed a strong emphasis on his technical and non-transferable skills as a qualified pharmacist.

To give you an idea, here is the list of his skills he supplied to me:

1. prescription verification
2. Medication dispensing
3. Adverse drug reactions identification and reports
4. Administrative support
5. Attention to detail
6. Patient counselling
7. Pharmaceutical calculations
8. Insurance verification
9. Immunizations administration
10. Supply restocking and requisition.
11. Customer service
12. Medication preparation, labelling and good storage.
13. Vaccines administration
14. Insurance verification

He also supplied his skills indirectly while describing his 4-year work history in 2 job tenures as follows:

1. Verified prescriptions and dispensed as directed by Physician. Assisted in maintaining a clean, organized, retail environment for optimal shopping experience.
2. Tracked stock using company inventory management software.
3. Improved client retention rates by providing exceptional after-sales support and follow-up calls.
4. Engaged with customers to build rapport and loyalty.
5. Conducted regular price checks to ensure accurate pricing on store items.
6. Analysed and properly processed product returns, assisting customers with finding alternative merchandise to meet needs.
7. Helped customers locate products. Offered personalised assistance to customers, fostering loyalty and repeat business.
8. Performed cash, card and check transactions to complete customer purchase.
9. Ensured proper storage of thermolabile medications such as cold drugs and heat-sensitive drugs, vaccines, et cetera.
10. Communicated with Physicians in cases of ineligible Prescriptions, for better understanding and for the benefit of patients.
11. Charted, prepared and administered vaccines, for patients with prescriptions.
12. Contributed to positive work environment through effective team work and collaboration with Pharmacy staff members.
13. Counseled patients on medication side effects, good storage conditions and proper use of prescription medicines.
14. Assisted with managing the controlled substance inventory, maintaining compliance with federal regulations, and record-keeping requirements.
15. Performed blood pressure and glucose level checks on patients.
16. Educated Type-2 Diabetes and Hypertension patients on medication therapy, proper nutrition, fitness, and other non-pharmacological approach to therapy.
17. Advised patients on medication side effects, contraindications and explained proper administration.
18. Served as a reliable source for patients seeking information on over-the-counter medications, supplements, and general health inquiries. 
19. Demonstrated proficiency in Pharmaceutical calculations, ensuring accurate dosing for pediatric and geriatric patients alike.
20. Conducted regular audits of expired medications, ensuring proper disposal according to established protocol.
21. Reduced medication errors by diligently verifying prescriptions for accuracy before dispensing to patients.

This is getting too long. So, I'm going to be talking more about this on my LinkedIn page here.

Action Step Three: Share Your CV With Everyone You Know Who Is Connected

The Christmas holiday is a time that many people are relaxed and therefore mentally available. They are not under any pressure to go to work or to meet any deadline.

So it is a wonderful networking opportunity for you. Thus, once your CV is ready, have it on your smartphone and go out there and introduce yourself to people you believe are well connected at your worship place and other places in your town.

As you tell them about yourself, many of them would instinctively ask you for your CV. Once this happens, you simply send it to them via WhatsApp or by any other means.

Action Step Four: Prioritize Quality Service Delivery Once You Start Getting The Connections

If you take the 3 steps enunciated above exactly as prescribed, it's almost impossible for you not to start getting lucrative connections. But, that's not a thing to celebrate yet. What you should rather focus on is how you take advantage of the connections.

Simply put, the way to maximize - rather than waste - each connection is to prioritize quality service delivery over any other consideration. Whatever it will take you to make your clients happy with you, do it. Instead of you not to give them quality service, charge them higher and explain to them why you need to charge higher.

Clients generally prefer quality services to cheap (as in low-cost) services. I think that this is the origin of using the word "cheap" as a synonym for "low-quality". So, never you make the mistake of charging so low that you can hardly afford to deliver quality service. But then, that doesn't mean that you'd get your charges shooting through the roofs.

Conclusion 

I have much more to say on this topic but this is getting too long. So, let me stop it here. I'll be discussing more about it on LinkedIn.

Also, if you need any explanation on any point I have raised above, you simply ask your question at the comment section below. Thank you