I wish I am an influential person in my village if not in the world. Previously, when I was in elementary and high school, I desperately wished to be influential among my class mates. Those days, the most influential pupil was the class prefect.
If you are like me, probably you wish and pray tirelessly to become an influential person in the circle of your friends, your place of work, church etc.
Actually, you could be consciously or unconsciously devising techniques and methods that you think will make you influential. Some of the techniques that you are crafting include; adding certificates to your already starring CV, putting on expensive clothes, looking for promotion etc. Some are saving every coin to become rich and inturn become influential. Everyone is designing his own way to become influential. The main issue, even if we deny it is that, we would like to be influential in one way or another.
What makes a person influential in the World?
In April this year, Time Magazine compiled a list of 100 most influential people in the World. One name that caught my attention is Didier Drogba. He is arguably the best football striker in Africa. Drogba who is popularly referred to as Drog sent my thinking into a spin. I wondered, what really made him an hero and for that matter appear in the same list with big names like Bill Clinton, President Barrack Obama and Oprah Winfey.
I was not envious of Drog, but I wished to pin down his traits so that I can copy them and as well become influential.
I humbly narrowed down few points that makes Drogba a Star.
1. He is Himself/Unique
When you mention Drogba he sends nerves of many people bulging. He has something that almost everybody admires. Probably it is his tall, dark and well build body posture. However, when you look closer, you will notice he has something admirable, doing things uniquely. This uniqueness makes him a darling of many especially kids.
His hair style, the way he celebrates goals, the way he pushes and shoves defenders etc. Drog remains himself, he is not a copy cat.
2. Stand up to be counted
It is said that he has done a lot to ensure there is peace in his war ravaged home country. In 2006 World cup, he single handedly steered his teammates to write a statement to his home country to allow peace to prevail. At that time, Ivory coast was in crisis.
If he is not fighting for peace, he is offering money to ensure there is healthy. When 22 Ivorians were killed scrambling to see their heroes play, Drogba donated all proceeds from his endorsement to build a hospital in his country.
This shows selfishness has no room in become influential. Actually such devotion of Dgroba and many others has inspired me to do a few small things. e.g. creating a website (www.joshuaarimi.com) to offer candidates in Kenya access to all past KCSE exam papers and their marking schemes absolutely for free. If they pass their exams, they will be successful and build a better Kenya. If you want to visit the website click www.joshuaarimi.com
3.Strength
One feature that makes Drogba a very successful striker is his strength. To be influential in the world you need strength. Not necessarily physical, but mental, spiritual and emotional. Example of heroes that have revolutionalised the world by their strength include Martin Luther King, Gadhi, Mandela among many others.
To be influential in the world, strength is necessary even in the face of death.
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Great and insipiring stuff. By the way, Drogba is one of my heroes.
Thanks Elda.
I admire Drog as well. I have observed many times, he has some flaws like any other human being, but his heroic part outweigh his weaknesses.
Drog go Drog go!
Thanks for the inspirational messages! God bless
Hi Stella,
You are welcome.
God Bless you too.