CHINUA ACHEBE

Damilola Oluwatoyinbo

LIFE LESSONS From

 Damilola Oluwatoyinbo 2013

The written content of this book as well as the text design and layout are the intellectual property of Damilola Oluwatoyinbo. The lessons shared here were inspired by the life and times of the literature giant. Chinua Achebe The pictures used do not belong to the author and he appreciates all the photographers and websites who captured them and made them available His deep gratitude goes to Google.com in particular.

CHINUA ACHEBE
This book is NOT FOR SALE. You can share it with your FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES and SOCIAL CIRCLE via EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, LINKEDIN, GOOGLE+ and other media platforms but do not sell it.

LIFE LESSONS From

Lesson One
You dont have to be old to make a POSITIVE and LASTING DIFFERENCE. Achebes book ings Fall Apart was published when he was 28 years old. Why not get started with that project today?

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Lesson Two
Have a CLEAR and COMPELLING message. Achebe wrote about dierent subjects but he championed the CAUSE of African dignity. You need a CAUSE to be a FORCE.
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Lesson

ree

What you READ determines what you BREED. Achebe spent several hours in the library at Government College, Umuahia reading the works of successful writers.

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Lesson Four
Reading BETWEEN THE LINES will make you FIRST IN LINE. Many people read the words of the books. Achebe read the mind of the authors.

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Lesson Five

Draw WISDOM from CRISES. Most people were xated on the pains of the civil war. Achebe considered the pain but he also saw the war as a LEARNING OPPORTUNITY.

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Lesson Six Rejection is part of the JOURNEY OF GREATNESS. Several publishers turned down Achebes manuscript before Heinemann signed him on.
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Lesson Seven START SMALL, learn fast and KEEP ON GROWING. Only 2 000 hardback copies of ings Fall Apart were initially published. Today, over 12million copies have been sold worldwide.
N.B: at doesnt include the pirated copies.

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Lesson Eight Achebe won several scholarships at school before winning awards on the world stage. Something you are doing today will take you somewhere tomorrow.

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Lesson Nine

Your can evolve into a GLOBAL CHAMPION even if you start out as a LOCAL HERO. He was born in a little-known place called Ogidi but he grew unto the world stage. He became internationally renown.
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Lesson Ten
Your FIRST WORK could turn out to be your best work. EMBRACE EXCELLENCE from the onset and give EVERY TASK your best shot.

grew unto the world stage. He became internationally renown.

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Lesson Eleven Develop your own style. Achebe was inspired by other writers such as Cyprian Ekwensi but he FOUND HIS OWN VOICE.

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Lesson Twelve
e POTENCY of your MESSAGE often determines the SIZE of your audience. He had a powerful message that got the attention of the world. Hes the most translated African author in history.

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Lesson

irteen

RESPECT GREATNESS. He said A man who respects the great paves way for his own greatness. You tend to attract more of what you respect.

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Lesson Fourteen
DEVELOP YOUR GIFT and many other things shall be added unto you. Achebe became the recipient of over 30 honorary degrees from dozens of Universities in dierent continents simply because of the impact he made through his writing.

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Lesson Fifteen
YOUR GIFT IS YOUR LIFT. e more you work it, the higher it takes you. YOUR GIFT IS YOUR PASSPORT. Achebes gift took him beyond the boundaries of his locality and beyond the boundaries of the imaginations of those around him.

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Lesson Sixteen

CELEBRATE OTHER CHAMPIONS. He never won a Nobel Prize but he lauded Wole Soyinka when he won the prize.

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Lesson Seventeen
Dont let a MISFORTUNE make you MISS your FORTUNE. He won the widely-coveted MAN BOOKER INTERNATIONAL Prize after he became paralyzed.

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Lesson Eighteen
Never let your BODY become a prison for your mind. You can still keep your mind strong even if your body feels weak. Achebe lectured for over 20 years after he became paralyzed.

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Lesson Nineteen
INVEST IN OTHER PEOPLE Achebe poured his wisdom into millions of lives through thousands of lectures. Somebody needs the knowledge you have. Share.
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Lesson Twenty

STAND FOR WHAT YOU BELIEVE Achebe refused to accept the CFR (Commander of the Federal Republic) honor on two occasions for reasons he was willing to defend.

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Lesson Twenty One

Always remember that something you are doing now is making the world a better or a more dreadful place. Make the right decision!
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Its Sobering. Isnt it?

Its sobering to realize that no matter how great or gifted a person is, he will one day draw his last breath. Every human being has an appointment with death. I do. So do you. Life is a privilege and everyday is a gift. One day, wed leave this earth. Its not about class, creed, race, religion, tribe or tongue.

Death doesnt discriminate.

Some believe that life ends here on earth but what if it doesnt? What if theres an after-life a hereafter a world beyond this one?
What if death is a door and not a wall?

Have you made plans for that?

I have and you might want to do what Ive done. Ive committed my life to Jesus Christ. I believe in him as my Savior and as my guarantee of eternal life. Im not perfect- Im far from it but my faith in Him gives me access to Gods perfect love for me. If you will like to experience the joy I have and the blessed assurance of eternal life. Say this prayer:

Dear God, I thank you because you love me. I thank you for sending your son Jesus Christ to die for my sins and grant me eternal life. I accept your love and forgiveness today. I accept you as the Lord of my life. Write my name in the book of life and help me to live in you, with you, like you and for you forever. AMEN

If you enjoyed reading this book, youd like my other books too. Look out for them in your local bookstore or simply order online.

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Share it with your FRIENDS, FAMILY, COLLEAGUES and SOCIAL CIRCLE via EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, PINTEREST, LINKEDIN, GOOGLE+ and other media platforms. anks.