Prayer

Mistakes are part of growth, but some mistakes come with a heavy price.

Not long ago, I came across a business opportunity that looked exciting, promising returns, compelling pitch, everything seemed right on the surface. Normally, I don’t invest in ventures like that, and when I do, I take my time to do proper due diligence. But this time… there was pressure. “Act now or miss out forever.”

That sense of urgency got to me, and I jumped in. Sadly, skipping the necessary checks cost me. I got burned. It was a painful reminder that emotion and pressure are poor advisors when it comes to decision-making, and wisdom is never in a rush.

Whether you’re a business owner, a creative, or team leader, the goal is not perfection, but prevention. Use this checklist to stay ahead of errors that can drain your time, money, or reputation.

1. Clarify Before You Commit.  Have I fully understood the task, brief, or contract? Are expectations clearly spelled out, for both sides? Have I asked questions to remove ambiguity? Confusion is expensive. Ask now, not later.

2. Back Decisions with Data. Am I relying on verified facts and not just gut feeling? Have I done enough research to support this decision? Have I considered the worst-case scenario? Data may not eliminate all risks, but it reduces blind spots.

3. Pause to Think, Not Just React. Have I taken a moment to reflect before acting? Am I being pressured into a rushed decision? Have I considered the long-term impact? Speed is good, until it causes regret.

4. Consult Before You Conclude. Have I spoken with someone more experienced? Did I seek input from team members or stakeholders? Am I making this decision in isolation? Wise counsel can save you from painful consequences.

5. Document Everything. Is there a written agreement or summary of what was discussed? Have I captured important decisions in writing? Can I refer to what was agreed if questions arise? A paper trail is your insurance policy.

6. Protect Yourself and Your Work. Are all legal and security risks considered? Is my intellectual property safeguarded? Are contracts, NDAs, or permits in place? Prevention is cheaper than litigation.

7. Do a Final Check Before Launching. Have I double-checked figures, facts, and files? Has someone else reviewed this work with fresh eyes? Is everything aligned with the goal? Small errors caught early can prevent big disasters.

8. Learn From the Last Mistake. What went wrong the last time, and why? Have I created a system to avoid repeating it? Am I tracking my growth as a decision-maker? Mistakes are fine, repeating them is not.

Avoiding costly mistakes doesn’t require perfection. It requires intentionality, clarity, and counsel. Make this checklist a habit, and you’ll build a reputation for wise, effective, and consistent decision-making.

You were MADE FOR MORE

Iamhenrylong

In a world that celebrates vision, strategy, and big dreams, there’s one quality that quietly separates the extraordinary from the average: execution. Vision without execution is hallucination which will only birth frustration. I learned that the hard way. Once, I lost out on something valuable simply because I delayed action. So, when I met my wife, I didn’t leave anything to chance. I gave it everything, dinners, late-night walks after vigil even when sleep begged for my eyes, and a few other moves I’ll keep to myself for now.

Nehemiah wasn’t a prophet, priest, or king. He was a cupbearer, an assistant in the palace of a foreign king. Yet he accomplished what generations before him failed to do: he rebuilt the broken walls of Jerusalem in just 52 days. He was an embodiment of the power of execution.

How was he able to execute so well?

1. He had a heart for what he was doing.

Nehemiah’s success began with a burden. When he heard the walls of Jerusalem were in ruins, he wept, fasted, and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4). Execution is fueled by conviction, not just ambition. He didn’t act from a place of ego or profit, but from a deep passion to see his people restored. It is often said that, if it doesn’t move your heart, you won’t move the needle.

2. He prayerfully planned

Nehemiah didn’t run off impulsively. He prayed for four months before even approaching the king. And when the moment came, he had a plan. He asked for permission, protection, and provision (Nehemiah 2:5-9). Successful execution requires spirit-led strategy. My counsel – Pray hard, Plan smart.

3. He remained focused until completion

Despite threats and distractions, including assassination plots, Nehemiah stayed laser focused. “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down,” he told his enemies (Nehemiah 6:3). That level of focus led to the wall being finished in just 52 days. If you don’t value your assignment, distractions will become detours. Stay on the wall.

Nehemiah’s blueprint isn’t just ancient history, it’s a roadmap for anyone who wants to turn vision into reality. Whether you’re building a business, leading a team, raising a family, or writing a book, remember:

• Prayer births vision.
• Planning coordinates it.
• Execution completes it.

You may not have a title. You may not have all the resources. But like Nehemiah, if you have conviction, clarity, and consistency, you too can rebuild broken walls and write a legacy that stands the test of time.

You were MADE FOR MORE

Iamhenrylong

In every journey toward success, opposition is inevitable. Challenges often come dressed as critics (some, your friends), distractions, and even sabotage. But how we respond to them determines whether we move forward or fall back. Nehemiah, a Jewish cupbearer turned city builder, gives us a masterclass in how to overcome opposition without suffering a setback.

Sanballat and Tobiah mocked, ridiculed, and plotted against Nehemiah and his team. They questioned his competence, tried to sow fear among the workers, and even attempted to lure Nehemiah into traps under the guise of peace meetings.

Yet Nehemiah stayed focused. Despite intense opposition, the wall was completed in just 52 days.

What does Nehemiah’s story have to do with your business struggles, your job challenges, or your financial goals?

1. Stay Focused. Whether you’re building a startup, climbing the corporate ladder, or pursuing financial freedom, never forget why you started. Clarity of purpose will help you filter out distractions and withstand criticism. Nehemiah said, “I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down.” Let that be your response when distractions, discouragements, or delays try to pull you off course.

2. Expect and Prepare for Opposition. Opposition is not a sign you’re doing something wrong; often, it’s confirmation that you’re on the right path. Nehemiah expected resistance and prepared for it. In your business or career, equip yourself; upskill regularly, build emotional and mental resilience, and develop a support system of mentors, friends, or coaches.

3. Combine Faith with Strategy. Nehemiah prayed and posted guards. Faith isn’t passive, it’s fuel for strategic action. In your finances, don’t just hope for a breakthrough. Budget, save, invest, and educate yourself.

4. Refuse to Negotiate with Distraction. Sanballat invited Nehemiah to dialogue, a disguised sabotage. In your journey, not every invitation is an opportunity. Some are traps. Learn to say no to time-wasting meetings, unhealthy comparisons, toxic partnerships, shortcuts that compromise your values.

5. Finish What You Start. Nehemiah finished the wall. Completion brings credibility, confidence, and capacity for the next level. Don’t be known for great ideas and half-built dreams. Push through. Finish the course.

Nehemiah wasn’t a professional builder. He was a man with a burden, a vision, and relentless focus. Like him, you may not have all the qualifications, connections, or resources, but with the right mindset and divine backing, you can build what others thought impossible. When we were starting out with the building of the auditorium of RCCG Jesus Vessel, I did not know jack about building works, but I was so determined, prayed earnestly and God gave me the right team to work with.

Sanballat and Tobiah never stopped trying, but their opposition never became a setback. Why? Because Nehemiah didn’t allow it.

In your own life, you are the gatekeeper of progress. Stay alert.

You were MADE FOR MORE.

Iamhenrylong