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How I Got My First Car
It was in 2001. The man came into our branch with so many items for sale. What caught my attention was a set of key holders with different car crests and logos.
It was in 2001. The man came into our branch with so many items for sale. What caught my attention was a set of key holders with different car crests and logos.
I was attracted to the one for Honda and I recall clearly as a few people laughed when I bought the key holder. What would I do with such a branded key holder when I didn't even have a car?
At that time, Honda was my favourite car brand. I got home and I hung the Honda-branded keyholder right above my bed. It was placed in such a way that it was the first thing I saw in the morning when I wake up and the last thing I saw at night.
Each time I see the key holder, I breathe some words of prayers as I thanked God for my car. I began to think seriously about driving my car. I employed the power of my imagination. I spoke about it to a few friends who usually laughed at my highfalutin dreams.
On one occasion, while anchoring a church event, I shared my dream and said maybe I would buy two tyres first as I didn't have a clue how I would buy a car since I didn't have the funds.
About 3 months after I bought the key holder, one of our customers who was a car dealer and imported 'Belgium' cars visited the branch. He told one of my colleagues that he had a car he wanted to sell quickly as he needed money.
My colleague told him he couldn't afford it at that time and referred him to me. I laughed when the man approached me. I told him I couldn't afford it when he told me the price. But he insisted I should come outside to take a look at the car.
I stepped outside with him. He actually drove the car to our office. It was a Volvo 340DL- cute and smart- for a bachelor like I was at that time. It was golden in colour. I stood there admiring the car as it shone under the afternoon sun.
My mind went to my key holder. But this wasn't a Honda brand? Well, no it wasn't. But it was a car all the same.
I looked at the dealer and told him I couldn't afford the price he mentioned. He wanted to sell it at N380,000. I didn't even have N380. He asked me how much I wanted to pay. We haggled the price. To me, I was having fun because no matter how low he came, I didn't have the funds.
Eventually, he agreed to N220,000. I couldn't believe it. That was ridiculously low. But things were about to get even more ridiculous.
I wanted to shrug him off me. I told him I can't afford to pay all at once. I would like to pay in two instalments. To my shock, he agreed. Then, I drove it in further: the first instalment will be in six month's while the final instalment will be after another six months.
He agreed. He threw the car key and handed over all the papers to me. No down payment, no agreement, no post-dated cheque, no guarantor. Just a gentleman's agreement to pay twice. I thought: why didn't I ask for three instalments? But I didn't want to push my luck too far.
That was how I strolled back into the office with a car key in my hands and some swagger in my steps. I had bought a car without money. I left my house that morning by public transportation but came home in the evening in my own car. I paid the dealer as agreed within a year.
Free your imagination. Imagination is free. Surround yourself with images of the kind of life you want or the goals you're pursuing. Stick those images around your house or office. Feed your eyes on them. Meditate on them. Thank God for them.
Speak positively about the direction your life is taking. Ignore naysayers. When they laugh at your dreams, let that spur you the more. Let the picture of your future be so real to you that you're willing to make sacrifices for it.
Life gives you what you negotiate and not what you deserve. Don't be afraid to negotiate. Don't settle for little dreams. Be audacious. Be bold. Don't give up.
I encourage you to read the story of Jacob and the strategy he engaged that changed his status in Genesis 30:25-43.
You will get there!
©Bayo Adeyinka
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You will get there!
©Bayo Adeyinka
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