LESSONS FROM BITATURE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR 2015

LESSONS FROM BITATURE THAT COULD CHANGE YOUR 2015

These lessons from Bitature were written by L. B. Kelle and was published in the current issue of WI-Magazine, by WORLD OF INSPIRATION. Here is goes:

Two years ago, I travelled to Kampala to launch my first book. I hadn’t lived in Uganda for over ten years, so I was faced not only with the challenge of re-introducing myself to the public, but also trying to navigate the dynamics of a place that had changed so much since I left. I had very limited funds and only two weeks to accomplish what I had come to do. I devised a strategy, and hit the streets hard.

The most important thing I needed was publicity, which turned out relatively easy to get for the most part because many of the people who are now in positions of authority in these media establishments are people I grew up with, so asking for help was sometimes as easy as sending a text message. There was however a big kahuna in one of the major newspapers that I could not seem to understand. The person in charge had promised to help me, but for days I called, emailed and texted him, and it was either “am in a meeting”, “I will call you back” or a voice mail. I was running out of time, and feeling frustrated. My plans were further upset when some prospective sponsors were suddenly unavailable.

Amidst that mood of discouragement, I met my friend and brother, business mogul Patrick Bitature (who had already generously given me a venue for the launch free of charge at his Protea Hotel in Kololo), to talk about the challenges I was facing. Even before we sat down I started whining about how I had failed to get hold of this particular media boss, in addition to my sponsorship issues. Patrick immediately cut me short and begun to give me a talking that would forever shift my thought process.

“Lillian, you have to stop begging people. You need to recognise you have something valuable to offer. These media people are not helping you; if anything you are helping them. They rely on stories to sell their products, and you have a very important story to tell. If this guy does not have the sense to see that, go elsewhere. When you have something of value, you do not have to convince people beyond what is required. With time they will figure out your worth because the cream always rises to the top. Do not ever lose your dignity in the pursuit for success.”

He spoke with so much conviction, every word sinking down into my heart. It was as if my mind was being serviced, old oil being poured out and new oil getting poured in. He continued: “Focus on your craft; one day your work will speak for itself. So the sponsors didn’t come through? Find other sources or cut your budget. You have to be willing to readdress your strategy because plans don’t necessarily always work out. When it comes to people, never set too high expectations or you will be disappointed. But most importantly don’t fear them. At the end of the day, even if they have big titles they are mere human beings like you. Keep knocking on doors. You don’t need every door to open; you need just one. You only need one runway to take off. If you focus on those that said ‘No’, you diminish the victory from those that said ‘Yes’…”

I listened intently to every word he spoke. After all this is a man who had tested the lessons he was sharing with me and the results were evident in the splendour of his Protea hotel we sat in, plus a chain of several other successful businesses and investments to his name. Who was I to dispute this advice that I had the rare privilege to get? I left Protea that evening with a new strategy and a new attitude. I never called that newspaper boss or those sponsors again, but I still managed to get that paper to give me a book review plus a double page insert in their weekend paper! And I sold almost a thousand copies of my book the night of the launch, more than I thought I would ever sell!

Now this is Bake. I believe Bitature’s message through Lillian has touched you in some hidden corners of your heart, arousing in you the power to stand and fight for your dreams like never before. As WORLD OF INSPIRATION, we know this is not just 2015 but rather 20-FIT-IN, a year when each one of us has the potential to achieve 20 mega goals. I already achieved 3 and I am looking forward to achieving the remaining 17. To make this year special, I recommend these 3 things:

1. Become an ardent reader of WI-Magazine. In this magazine we have the most inspiring minds in the world sharing with us principles that have worked in their lives and led to their own success. For instance, in the current issue you will read the full story of Dr Edward Kazaire who left Kampala after failing to get a job and used the remaining Shs 20,000 as his transport back to the village to do what made many think he was mad. But 12 years later, he has a business empire worth more than Shs 10bn. A copy of WI-Magazine goes for only Shs 5,000 and it is available on every street in Kampala and Mbarara (the rest of the towns, we are coming). We also encourage you to consider paying annual subscription at only Shs 50,000 and have a copy delivered to you every month, for a whole year. And for a company, NGO, school, you need to subscribe for at least 10 copies and see how lives around you change this year. You can also advertise in this magazine. Our rates start from Shs 50,000 to 2,500,000.

2. I implore you to make it your new year’s resolution not to miss any episode of the AUTHORS’ FORUM this year, starting with the GRAND OPENING on Wednesday Feb 4^th, 5:30 to 8:30pm. Right from the Grand Opening to the Grand Finale in December, we have lined up guests, activities and themes that are all beyond inspiring. I encourage you to take a step and contact me today and subscribe for annual membership at only Shs 250,000. And I will give you 2 free issues of WI-Magazine (for December 2014 and Jan 2015) as a bonus. In case you are not able to subscribe, secure your entry ticket to the Grand Opening at Shs 40,000.

3. Endeavour to attend at least 3 out of the 15 life-changing courses at our School of Inspiration. This coming Saturday we shall be kicking off THE ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING and next week, ACTION PLANNING and BUSINESS PROPOSAL WRITING will also commence. Each of these courses is completed in 6 sessions of 3 hours each, with each session being arranged at your own convenience. So no matter how busy you are, you can successfully attend. The fee for each course is Shs 500,000 (but Authors’ Forum members always pay only half). I promise you, there are practical things you will learn from our courses that you couldn’t have learnt in any other way.

In all the matters mentioned above, I eagerly await to personally serve you. Reach me on: 0704666851 / 0712868424 / 0414691595). You can also come to our office, WORLD OF INSPIRATION (Luwum Street, MM Plaza T33).

#Blessings!