A few days ago, I was strolling down a quiet street in a happy mood.
I had just eaten, to my satisfaction, which was very rare.
I was just grinning, whistling one highlife tune, with my hands in my pockets, and my feet doing the task my brain sent out to it in a lazy, rhythmic motion.

I turned down a street,and as I walked by, I overheard a mother admonishing her son.
"This coming June, be very serious. We're already six months into the year. Always work very hard. No matter what happens, just keep working hard.
Remember that you're the only son, so you have to make your family proud by working very hard"

I smiled as I walked past the house I could hear the voice coming from.

"A mother's love".
That was the first thing that entered my mind.
I smiled at the thought.
Then another came in
"No matter what happens, just work hard"

I wanted to block the thought, I really didn't want to start thinking there and then. The food in my stomach was still giving me no reason to think.
But it was too late. I sighed as I let my mind plunge.

****

Working hard, just working hard..
It's a good standard, that has stood the test of time, and has always produce good results.
However, in this day and age, it's not wrong to crave something more.
Welcome to 2023, the year of Information Overload.
That's right, Information Overload.
This year is seeing an explosion of talent and skill, cutting across several fields.
And we, the youth are not left out.
So it's only right to want to do more than just working hard, right?
That's where "Working Smart" comes in.
You don't have to dabble in any dubious activities to "belong", or make money.
Is Digital Marketing your niche, and you want to learn more?
Free online courses and guides are just taps on your keyboard away.
Is it in the Tech Sector? Data Analysis? Product Design?
There are online communities that help train "wannabe techies". I am actually a product of a number of them.
Even the conventional skills that's been around for as long I can remember - Beading, Trading, Hair Styling, Electrical Maintenance, and more. They have all being upgraded with a few extra quirks.
The only person holding you back from working smart, is still you.
It might sound like a cliché, like you have heard it before, but it is the plain truth.
So it's up to you to either stick to working really hard, or opening your mind and broadening your horizon, and working smart....the good kind of smart oo. Biko.

****

I sighed, "this kin head God gave me. Very stubborn".
"It is you that is stubborn, lazy boy. This small food you ate is entering your big head".
"God abeg, because I allowed you to talk about that thing that woman said, abi? Don't worry, you will come again".
"Haa, oya sorry naw. Calm down".
"Just allow me enjoy the rest of my stroll. Biko".
"Fine, you will still find me and come for your assignments".
"Are you threatening me?".
" This small thing I said is now a threat. Ha! Just post one fine wallpaper alongside this and I will leave you for now".
"No problem, but which one is for now?"



#humor #funny #deepmeaning #english #englishandnative #story #shortstory



© TheKingsSon