Author: Okoye Chinelo
Common sense has viewed the street as a place where people pass to and fro, a public road with bill boards and local food vendors by the sides, where lazy bones and preoccupied sedentary workers rush in to grab handful of edibles. Metaphorically speaking, that is a very dim view of what a street really is.
The street is an abstract institution of learning, open to anyone to try out but eventually, only the observant ones get a chance to study in it. Being an abstract institution, it offers an abstract lecture which is wisdom. The only requirement is that you return this favor with a little abstract fee, just a little and this fee is nothing other than attention
and you`re on your way to acquire knowledge.
Now, some people may ask, what business has the street and its wisdom got to do with professional success? Is street Wisdom Necessary For Professional Success? The answer is a resounding yes. Street wisdom is really necessary for professional success, for wisdom is littered all over the street. You're just not paying attention to it.
Before we look into the relationship between the two, it is of paramount importance to understand what the phrase "street Wisdom" entails. Street wisdom simply implies all apparatus, physical or otherwise, necessary for survival in an environment that is mostly unfair.
Over the years, seminars, conferences and other forms of social media has tried their best in hammering different tips and strategies for professional success into the subconscious mind of the general public but these efforts for one reason or the other, has proved abortive.
Human psychology has shown that humans learn more from what they see compared to what they hear. In other words, proving the saying that experience is the best teacher. One useful lesson we can learn from the street is to always treat every single person you encounter, with a good manner of approach. The world is a small place, they always say. This is not untrue. Every little favor you do counts a lot and so does every mischievous deed. They can always find you again in one way or the other.
Notice the rascals in the street, the cantankerous people and the brutal chauvinists. They may be feared but the truth is nobody really respects them. What business has this got to do with professional success? The lesson simply is, being the boss in a reputable company does not call for snobbishness. Being a little bit modest in all dealings of life really counts a lot.
With this, those under you would be able to do more and their efficiency will yield you tremendous business outputs. Imagine what will happen if your employees decide to team up against you. What a collapse that would be.
Another great lesson the street has taught its territory is that specialization is only for insects. For professional success, it is necessary to know a little of everything concerning your business. Division of labour is certainly something remarkable and helps in the utilization of time as well as generates quick output but street wisdom teaches us that, it is more rewarding to be able to be a jack of all trade and master of none than to be a proud master of nothing.
This knowledge is more beneficial to sole proprietors and owners of resorts who have employees. Knowing everything or rather, a little of everything concerning your business helps one to contribute effectively in the smooth running of his or her business. For employees, this knowledge helps in the eradication of bias and intimidation.
The major content of most journals and other forms of social media on tips for professional success is that one should be able to challenge one's self. This tip however, didn't help much not because it is irrelevant but because most people failed to understand that singular concept.
Street knowledge has shown that for every single success at all, professional or otherwise, challenges are the reason why we learn. Creating and believing in one's own universe will help one grow in both skill and knowledge. The street lords for instance create their own independent world, instilling both fear and discipline and becoming both fearless and successful.
Another major lesson street wisdom offers is the principle of uniqueness. In the street, the most successful and popular people happened to be the outstanding ones who does things differently. For one to achieve success in any profession or business expertise, your uniqueness should be able to to withstand all external forces so that all your doings and later success synchronizes with who you truly are.
Of all calibers of people found in the street, the street artists are those we should really learn from. Their persistence, uniqueness, selflessness and most importantly, the way they have no fear when it comes to taking risks and defying all odds and society norms just to express their innermost feelings.
Once in a while, it's important to take risks in our daily lives just to achieve our goals as long those motives are not detrimental to other people's lives and security.
If you want to be very comfortable in your profession and achieve success, then you have to stop hiding in your shell. Defy all odds and stand up for your self. Your persistence and confidence, not only brings out the best in you but also ignites the zeal in others around you to make the most of their dreams.
The most ridiculous of all the lessons taught by street Wisdom is that one should just be thoughtful. Only thoughtful people survive out there in the harsh street. By being thoughtful, they imply that you should live by their own principle which says "Don't do unto others what you will like them to be done unto you. They may have different tastes". An absurd principle it may seem but looking into it critically, you'll understand how helpful it is. That is why attention is needed for the procurement of street wisdom. The principle is merely saying that you should learn to tolerate others if you're not ready to end up like the mad dogs on the street.
The truth is that not everybody likes what you like. The best way to influence others is by talking about their needs and wants and then show them how to it. You can not always have your way and the earlier you learn that, the better for you. In other words, approaching your profession with tolerance, thoughtfulness and flexibility is one sure way to guarantee success.
In conclusion, street wisdom no doubt is very necessary for professional success. It is one sure way of showing the world that success starts only at that point where your comfort zone ends. Besides, Rome was not built in a day.
