Psychology of Personal Relevance
By: Caleb Elochukwu –
What comes to mind when you hear the word relevance? The current conversations in the world borders around making impact, valuable-ness in whatever field or industry one finds himself/herself with the enormous resources available at our disposal and these conversations are tied around branding, another concept thriving in the world today. And these conversations are aimed at developing your personality in order to position for global, intercontinental or local recognition.
There are numerous names associated with impeccable relevance today; the likes of Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, Reno Omokri, Sergey Brin, Gary Vaynerchuk, Dan Lok, Russels Brunson, Sussane Klatten, Ngozi-Okonjo Iweala, Chimamanda Adichie, Ibukun, Obi Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana), Toni Elumelu, Williams Kumuyi, E.A Adeboye, David Oyedepo, Aloysius Ohanebo, Joshua Selman, Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Daniel Kolenda, Don Moen etc. have all made their mark on this generation in their respective fields with great ardor of excellence.
Among the younger generation, elite names like Steve Harris, John Obidi, Elisha Mamman, Fii Stephen, Andrew Igbineweka, Oluwatosin Olaseinde, Toyin Omontoso, Debo Adedayo (Mr. Macaroni), Apaokagi Adedoyin Maryam (Taooma), Chukwuemeka Emmanuel Ejekwu (Sabinus), Chioma Nnanna, Emmanuel Akpe, Dunsin Onyeka, Frank Edwards, Moses Bliss, Damilola Mike-Bamiloye, Joshua Mike-Bamiloye, Lawrence Oyor, Mercy Chinwo, Judith Kanayo, Gift Christopher, GUC…the list is inexhaustible, these have imprinted their footprints on the sands of time and are still trailing the blaze in their different field of expertise.
Now, pause and consider this question, Do you want succeeding generations to remember your name remarkably? Then pay great attention to the concept of personal relevance.
The concept of personal relevance is simply having confidence in your personality and ability in whatever you do. One of the dictionary meanings of relevance is the quality of not being outdated. A relevant person is current in his/her field, as a result solves problems constantly through valuable additions and contributions. He/she is and makes the difference wherever the person is found through valuable service, using your personality to influence and impact the world.
A relevant person is approved of God and men, profitable to the society at large, reliable and useful.
The first step towards gaining personal relevance is in self-belief. Everything in the world is governed by belief systems. If your belief system is faulty, you are automatically faulty as an individual. What you believe, you can achieve and receive.
There are many limiting factors to personal relevance and the paramount one are limiting belief systems. In order to conquer these factors, your mind must be ‘altered’ because human mind is the seat of human strength and determines to what extent man can achieve. Ironically, many are controlled by their minds instead of controlling their minds and this is as a result of poor belief systems.
Principles of Personal Relevance
Principles are fundamental truths/facts that serve as the foundation for a system of belief, behavior or chain of reasoning. They are guiding beliefs, rules on how the laws of nature should be applied. Applying the principles that govern person relevance will have a tremendous impact in changing your mindset towards positioning yourself to become relevant.
The core principles of personal relevance include:
Vision
Values
Volunteering
Vision: Take away vision and personal relevance will not be achieved. It is one of the basic principles of personal relevance. According to Dr. Myles Munroe of blessed memory, “The greatest gift ever given to mankind is not the gift of sight but the gift of vision. Vision is the source and hope of life. Nothing noble or noteworthy on earth was ever done without vision” (Munroe, 2003). Truly, where there is no vision, the people perish. (Proverbs 29:18)
Your vision should be the driving force of your life. If you must be relevant as an individual you must develop a personal vision! It is your personal vision that will bring you to larger visions that incorporate your vision where you can expressively bring your quota to the table, thus gain relevance.
How to develop a personal vision: By asking yourself pertinent questions such as: What is my purpose/assignment? etc.
These questions and more can serve as guidelines for developing personal vision when they are answered thoughtfully. Where everything fails, a strong vision cannot fail.
Values: Values are the coordinators of your personality borne out of your vision. Your values determine who you are and how you behave. Your value is your personality; it is an all-important principle in personal relevance.
Values are qualities, attributes or characteristics that guide your actions. Many persons do not have personal values that is why they are not relevant! The dictionary defines it as “the qualities that render something someone/something desirable and valuable”. Your values give you value. You must have personal values.
How to develop Personal Values:
Build your values around your vision
Understand your temperament, considering your strength and weaknesses
Develop good relationships and learn from others
Seek counsel
There are major values you should have and minor values which complement the major values. NB: Your values must be progressive and flexible. That is, they must adapt and evolve with each level of growth you attain.
Volunteering: Volunteering is one of the fastest means to gaining personal relevance. As you develop your values and vision, it is important to volunteer.
Volunteering is a form of active waiting! Volunteerism have gained notoriety because of its importance in the global and work space. To serve as a volunteer means to give your time, energy, resources, talent, skills etc. to a cause (in any discipline/field) most times without being rewarded financially. The essence of volunteering is to gain credibility and recommendations. Financial and material rewards may come later.
How to Volunteer:
Find organizations, institutions, community, groups etc. that support your vision and values and join them
Utilize opportunities to participate in any productive activity among your group
Practice self-leadership
Price and Prize of Personal Relevance:
The price entails things you must do and the challenges you must overcome on your journey to relevance. Nothing good comes easy! The periods of trials, failures, hardships, inconveniences, fears and doubts etc. are all challenges that stand on the way.
To conquer these challenges, we must develop a winning-habit and mentality. That is Develop actions, habits, characters that will help you in the journey. That is the price we must pay! Going the extra-mile.
The prize of personal relevance is simply personal glorification and satisfaction. The awareness that you are causing impact wherever you are found is reward enough. “Virtue is its own reward” There are numerous benefits that accrue to personal relevance.
There will never be the shortage of relevant people in the society and you can become one too. In order to do this, you must take the issue of personal relevance with gravity! Develop yourself to the point of relevance! God is depending on you, men are waiting for you! You cannot afford to disappoint them!
