Sequencing

When my Grandmother came to live with us in Abj many years ago, I had become this "taciturn" person. Most times, I will be in my mum's room reading while the old woman is talking with characters on television the way most people do, as though the characters can hear them or that their goodwill will suddenly change the script of the film. You will hear my Grandmother shouting to the character, "Don't eat that food. There is pois!on inside". If it is an older adult running after a minor to hunt them, she will start praying, "Ekunle abiyamo o, oya sare."

To rescue her from all these occasionally, I will walk to the sitting room to ask questions for which answer I already know. I will ask Mama so you have started fasting already. She will say "rara. omosheni (another of my many names) shebi, you served me food this morning." I will then ask her, "When do you start fasting? Is it before Ashamu?" Mama will reply Ashamu lama koko ke, awe awa tele (we have to say ashamu prayers first, and then we will fast". Then she will start singing, "Ashamu pari, awe tele" ( Ashamu has ended, and fasting will follow). My Grandmother was a practicing Muslim.

My PoP taught me the power of strategy and structure for many years. Over time, I have boosted my knowledge through personal study, including reading Harvard Business Review's ten must-reads on strategy. (HBR collections are great on any subject.) My practice or application of what I know has yet to catch up with my knowledge, but I am improving.

Yet lately, my PoP started emphasizing the power of sequencing. He said recently that as important as strategy is, it is only useful with sequencing. Sequencing is knowing and planning what could come next after or before your X. Is it going to be Y, W, or A? Simply put, it is deciding and including in your strategy when and how your steps follow each other. Sequencing could be one of the reasons why you should cook your beans before frying the dodo(plantain). If you do the reverse, and you are a plantain glutton, you are on your own.

In retrospect, sequencing is why my Grandmother tells me we cannot fast until they "ke ashamu". Whatever you do, know your sequence for personal and professional life. Sequencing matters as much as strategy and structure. Bring order or sequence to your plan.

Strategy is King

Structure is Queen

Sequencing is Prince or Princess

Strategy and structure without sequencing are like a royal throne without a successor. Sequencing makes you thrive.

By the way, if you ever see someone looking like this picture at an event, never ask them for money. waso lo ku ninu purse yen!

Happy Sunday, people!

Posted on Facebook on  September 17, 2023.

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