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In the second part of this series, published in the last edition, I listed three ways by which anyone may determine what they need to learn in order to Sell It and get paid by the Invisible Paymaster. Those things are

[1] A solid evidence that the ‘thing,’ whatever it is, can be sold.

[2] The ‘thing’ must be what you like doing or you could develop interest in.

And,

[3], the ‘thing’ must be what is legally and morally right and acceptable by the society.

I covered the first requirement in the last edition. Now, let’s look at the other two. The second requirement is tricky a bit. But it’s not that difficult to understand once you know what you are looking for.

Let’s get down to it by asking the question: What is it that you enjoy doing? Or what is it that you could develop interest in?

Let’s answer the first question first. And it is the tricky one. Why? Because what you enjoy doing may not be what people may want to buy.

For example, you could enjoy watching football. You love watching it so much that you could change from one TV channel to another and then switch to Satellite TV multi-channels just watching different football programmes and matches all day long.

What you are doing, if you engaged in that activity, is doing what you love. But that will never get you a cheque from the Invisible Paymaster. Never!

But let’s assume that after watching all those football matches and programmes, you discover what those packaging them are leaving out and, after studying them closely, you decided to create your own programme and add those missing things into it. And –– bingo! –– it becomes a hit with TV audiences nationwide or worldwide –– think Oprah Winfrey show –– then, the Invisible Paymaster will be so glad to deposit hefty cheques into your bank account non-stop.

See now? This is why I said earlier on that the question is tricky.

It’s not just learning what you enjoy doing that matters but finding a way of monetizing what you enjoy doing. Which was exactly what happened in my own case. I love watching sports generally and football in particular.

And after I read the little booklet authored by W. Herbert Armstrong, Seven Laws of Success, and I discovered how to set goals and I decided to set one, it was easy for me to choose sports writing. With that choice, I was able to continue to watch sports and at the same time launch myself into a career that would later pay me hugely.

Actually, I was being paid to do what I enjoyed doing. And I’m still earning royalty from that choice till this day –– even though that choice was made more than 30 years ago!

Let’s look at the other question, the thing you could develop interest in that will go on to reward you monetarily non-stop, even while you are asleep. I will again draw from my personal example. Early in 1995, while I was in London gathering materials to include in our up-coming new publication, SuccessDigest, I went into a bookstore.

As I was browsing through the shelves, I saw a book titled, Selling on the Internet. I was attracted by the word, “Selling” because, up until that moment, I had never encountered the word, Internet. What was it?

The back of the book gave me an idea of what it was. And I bought it without hesitation. Later that night, in my hotel room, I quickly read a few pages and I was introduced to a new technology that was just emerging.  I instantly fell in love with the Internet and decided there and then to –– wait for it –– Learn It! As they say, the rest is history.

Between 1995 and now when I decided to learn everything about the Internet, our NGO, Success Attitude Development Centre [SADC], has earned millions from the knowledge and still counting!

Okay, let’s move on to the third requirement. I’m very particular about this one. What you learn must definitely be what is legally and morally right and acceptable by the society.

Ordinarily, one shouldn’t need to mention this. It ought to be assumed. But when you see some of the things some misguided people do to earn money, then it becomes necessary to drum it in the ears of those who will care to listen that whatever they expect to sell must be legally and morally right and acceptable.

First, what do I mean by legally right?

In Nigeria, just as in any other country in the world, there are laws that govern how people conduct themselves. The law says what you can do and what you cannot do. When I say legally right, all I’m saying is that what you want to sell must not violate any laws.

For example, you can’t sell hard drugs, no matter how profitable it is. Why? Because there is a law against doing so.

And morally right?

Well, this one is truly tricky! One man’s meat, as they say, is another man’s poison. For example, I won’t sell you a cigarette. Why? Because I’ve read somewhere what the Surgeon General said about it. Want to hear it? He says, “It kills!”

So, if I sell a stick of cigarette to you, although I’m holding a gun to you head, my conscience will be saying to me that I’m about to kill you.

But not everyone will agree with me on that. Otherwise, you won’t see people selling cigarettes. Therefore, when we are talking about what is morally right or wrong, you’re the judge. However, there are some things that are considered a no go area by the society.

If you do such things, even though you may not end up in jail as a result, it has social consequences. In every case, develop your conscience and let it be your watch dog. Don’t sell just anything because it will make you money. Only sell things that will benefit others without hurting them one way or the other.

Next edition: Step 2: Do It! –– The Master Key for Achieving Your Loftiest Dreams!