You don’t just find yourself before a person of power; at least not usually. Something you might have said or done permits your appearance before them. The secret ingredient most times is, ‘Diligence.’ In an attempt to put my thoughts into words, I had to check online, the definition and characteristics of a diligent person. Look what I found-

‘A diligent person is someone who works very hard at something.’

‘Characteristics of diligent people include punctuality, self-motivation and perseverance without complaining. Diligent people also demonstrate an eagerness to learn new things in order to improve personal skill sets.’

Right! So in light of this, we shall be looking at diligence and why it’s so important an ingredient for those who intend to be set apart.

See what God’s Word says about diligence.

Proverbs 13:4 “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.”  (NLT)

Proverbs 10:4 “He who has a slack hand becomes poor, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.”  (NKJV)

Proverbs 21:5 “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.”   (NLT)

Proverbs 12:24 “The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute.” (KJV)

Proverbs 22:29 “Do you see any truly competent workers? They will serve kings rather than ordinary people.”  (NLT)

The truth is that if you really want to be a sought after person of value, it’s time to stop running about trying to curry favors. Rather sit on your behind; working hard & smart. Find solutions to existing problems, find a better way of doing what is already being done, set deadlines for yourself and beat them! In fact, overhaul the whole system and introduce something more efficient and time saving. Whatever your hands have found to do, can you be so good at it that you surprise even yourself? Being diligent means working hard and good even when no one is watching. It is not eye service or working with ulterior motives. Our generation and those coming after us want to make it so bad and they want it now! People aren’t willing to pay the price for success any more. They want to become billionaires over night without putting in a day’s work.  Unfortunately for them, things don’t work that way. This same principle apply to all jobs and fields of endeavors. I agree that some times, the hardest working person isn’t always the most successful but then, success is relative. All truly successful persons work hard either mentally, physically, financially, spiritually or even socially. David didn’t defeat Goliath that day on the battle ground, no he didn’t, he defeated him long before then. He defeated him each time he clubbed to death the lion and (or) bear that came to attack his sheep. Sir, what are you doing in this time when no one knows how good a writer you are? Are you sleeping your days away or hanging out all day with friends boasting about how you will soon ‘blow,’ without making any actual efforts, perhaps you could start by writing for that small town magazine that has been desirous of your services for a year now? Or at least taking online courses for writers and editors? Sister, we know you can bake a record-breaking cake but why don’t you start by arranging the hall in that event planning job you just got? Start from somewhere, anywhere (as long as you don’t compromise yourself or your values) and I promise that with time, you will begin to rise. Some people have genuine political ambitions but when they find themselves employed in the government house to serve tea or photocopy documents, they are silly enough to complain about how they are undervalued and overworked. Not knowing that one day, the governor might just need to ask an unbiased person a question concerning matters affecting the state and like Joseph, just one answer from him; one wise counsel and his life will be totally transformed.