Your Better Self with Akanna

Akanna Okeke
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“Your Better Self with Akanna” was a personal development column by Akanna Okeke on BellaNaija.com that explored the intersection of self-improvement, leadership, discipline, relationships, faith, ambition, and human behavior. Through storytelling, cultural commentary, psychology, and practical life lessons, the column challenged readers to think deeply, grow intentionally, and become better versions of themselves. Its central theme was that meaningful success begins with personal transformation.

  1. Oct 9

    Patience, Hustle, and Dedication Beat Degrees: The Real PhD of Life

    Are formal academic qualifications really the secret to winning at life, or are we confusing schooling with true education? In this episode, we unpack why academic degrees don't always translate into personal finance wisdom, smart choices, or real-world success. Inspired by Akanna Osita-Okeke's article, "Thinking About Getting a PhD? Here Are Some Things to Help You Decide if You Need That Degree," we dive into the three fundamental life habits that constitute the only "PHD" you truly need: P – Patience: The ability to manage expectations, avoid shortcuts, and stay committed even when instant results do not show up.H – Hustle: Taking active, productive steps to sharpen your skills and build momentum while waiting for your breakthrough.D – Dedication: Staying focused on your core goals and conquering "shiny-object syndrome" without constantly changing direction. Stop letting fear of failure hold you back from taking action. True education happens outside the classroom through experience, resilience, and persistent action. 📖 Read the Original Article: BellaNaija – Thinking About Getting a PhD? Here Are Some Things to Help You Decide if You Need That Degree.🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Hit Follow on Spotify, leave a rating, and share it with someone who needs a reminder to focus on the real PhD of life!

  2. Oct 1

    Why Good Ideas Come in the Shower (and How to Have Them Anywhere)

    Have you ever wondered why your most brilliant ideas, song lyrics, or creative solutions always seem to strike while you are in the shower? In this episode, we explore the psychology behind "shower thoughts" and break down practical ways to recreate those ideal mental conditions throughout your workday. Key Takeaways: Digital Detox: How stepping away from your phone and social media gives your mind the quiet space it needs to reflect.Single-Tasking vs. Multi-Tasking: Why focusing on one simple physical activity lowers stress and makes your brain receptive to breakthrough ideas.Receptivity & Vulnerability: How uncluttered surroundings and letting your guard down create fertile ground for creative thinking.Workspace Replication: Simple strategies to bring distraction-free, relaxing conditions into your daily work environment so you can capture great thoughts anywhere. This episode is based on the original article on BellaNaija — 3 Reasons Why Good Ideas Come in the Shower by Akanna Osita-Okeke.

  3. Sep 25

    The 5 Universal Laws of Stratospheric Success

    In this episode, we explore how to apply the 5 Laws of Stratospheric Success—inspired by Bob Burg and John David Mann’s book The Go-Giver and featured in Akanna Osita-Okeke’s article on BellaNaija. Discover how shifting your focus from taking to giving can transform your personal and professional life. Key Takeaways from This Episode: The Law of Value: Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.The Law of Compensation: Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.The Law of Influence: Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.The Law of Authenticity: The most valuable thing you have to give people is yourself.The Law of Receptivity: The key to effective giving is staying open to receiving. Whether you want to advance your career, expand your business, or build stronger relationships, these principles offer a practical framework for creating value and serving others. 📖 Read the original article: Are You Obeying These 5 Laws of Success? It’s Not Too Late to Start by Akanna Osita-Okeke on BellaNaija.com

  4. Sep 18

    Overcoming the 6 Barriers to Creative Flow

    Are you unknowingly sabotaging your creative potential? Everything in our world is created twice—first in the mind, and then in reality. In this episode, we break down six common habits that suppress imagination, lower productivity, and hold back your creative drive: Watching Too Much TV: How screen consumption atrophies your imagination muscle compared to reading.Not Learning About Yourself: Why understanding your unique psychology and strengths is essential for output.Focusing on Weaknesses: The danger of comparing yourself to others instead of cultivating your own unique craft.Isolating Yourself: Why strong relationships with growth-minded friends help surface your hidden talents.Pessimism: How negative mindsets repel collaborative opportunities and block optimism.Not Writing Down Ideas: Why you need a physical notebook to capture flashes of inspiration before they vanish.Read the Original Article: This episode is based on the article "These 6 Things May Be Hindering Your Creativity" by Akanna Osita-Okeke.

  5. Sep 11

    Pick Your Life Before Your Career

    Are we asking kids—and ourselves—the wrong question about the future? In this episode, we explore why asking "What do you want to be when you grow up?" often traps us in conventional boxes like doctor, lawyer, or engineer, forcing us through a fixed progression of sacrifices, workplace associations, and an unintentional lifestyle. Instead of letting a profession dictate how you live, what happens when you reverse the equation? We dive into the lifestyle-first approach: starting with Lifestyle, connecting with the right Association, making intentional Sacrifices, and designing the ultimate Plan to build the life you actually want. In this episode, you’ll learn: The flaw in conventional wisdom: Why "What do you want to be?" puts us in a box early on.The 4-Phase trap: How the default order of Plan ➔ Sacrifice ➔ Association ➔ Lifestyle leads to living by circumstance rather than design.The inverted framework: How asking "How do you want to live?" restores control over your life path.A real-life transformation: How a Nigerian undergraduate broke away from a path he didn't love, went to culinary school in France, and built a successful career as a chef. 📖 Read the original article: “What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?” The Wrong Question to Ask Kids!" by Akanna Osita-Okeke on BellaNaija.com

  6. Sep 4

    6 Signs You're an Ambitious Person

    Have you ever wondered why some people seem to constantly push boundaries and build remarkable lives, while others stay stuck in complacent comfort zones? In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of ambition, inspired by Akanna Osita-Okeke's insightful article, "6 Signs You Are an Ambitious Person" . We explore a breakdown of how society splits when it comes to drive: the winners, the complacent "wantrepreneurs", and the critics. Most importantly, we unpack the six defining characteristics that set truly ambitious people apart: Decisiveness – Closing the gap between knowing and doing.Resourcefulness – Becoming an "excuse-eliminator" and finding ways to win.Bigness – Choosing to focus on the bigger picture rather than getting bogged down by petty things.Iconoclasm – Going against the grain and challenging the status quo.Dreaming Big – Letting your imagination soar and backing your dreams with massive action.Ambitious Circles – Surrounding yourself with winners who keep your fire burning.No matter where you currently find yourself, ambition is a choice. Tune in to discover how you can consciously develop the mindset and habits of a high-achiever! Read the Original Article: You can read Akanna Osita-Okeke’s original piece published here: 6 Signs You Are an Ambitious Person on BellaNaija

  7. Aug 28

    The Day My Dog Spoke to Me

    Ever wondered what your pets would say about us if they actually had the power of speech? In this episode, we dive into Akanna Osita-Okeke’s compelling story, "The Day My Dog Spoke to Me". Following a heated verbal argument between newlyweds Peter and Tolani, Peter slumps onto the couch next to their Lhasa-poo, Jojo—only to be met with a shocking, fluent response from his four-legged best friend. What follows is a brilliant and eye-opening critique of human behaviour. Jojo points out that while humans possess the unique, divine gift of complex speech—the ability to pronounce both vowels and consonants—we constantly abuse it. By using profanity to drag private "bathroom and bedroom" activities into the public square, and throwing sacred words around carelessly, we are actively choosing to de-emphasise our humanity and embrace the animal kingdom. Jojo notes that if animals had the precious gift of speech, they would use it to talk themselves up, not down. Tune in to explore why your words shape your reality, how your ears internalise what your lips speak, and why it is time to reclaim the dignity of human language. Want to read the story that inspired this episode? You can read Akanna Osita-Okeke's original article published on BellaNaija here: 👉 The Day My Dog Spoke to Me (BellaNaija)

  8. Aug 21

    Design Your Lifestyle Before Your Job Title (Beyond the Box)

    Did you end up living the life you actually dreamt of as a child? When we were kids, we spent hours daydreaming about our future lives—the houses we would live in, the cars we would drive, and the families we would build. But then, a significant adult in our lives asked us a daunting question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" In this episode, we unpack why this is the wrong question to ask. We explore how answering it too early traps us in a predefined career box (such as doctor, lawyer, or engineer), kicking off a four-phase cycle where our profession dictates our life: The Plan: Setting a rigid professional goal before knowing what is truly available to us.The Sacrifice: Paying a heavy toll in schooling, long hours, or office politics without fully understanding the cost upfront.The Association: Spending our primary waking hours with colleagues who peer-pressure us into conformity.The Lifestyle: Realizing our daily reality and personal freedom have been completely designed by circumstances rather than choice. But what if we reversed this order? We discuss how starting with "How do you want to live?" gives you back control. By choosing your desired Lifestyle first, finding the right Association of mentors, understanding their Sacrifices, and only then designing your career Plan, you can build a life of genuine freedom. We also share the inspiring story of a Nigerian undergraduate who broke free from studying a subject he didn't love. By seeking out culinary associations and paying the sacrifice to attend culinary school in France, he successfully designed a niche lifestyle as a renowned chef in Nigeria. Whether you are a student feeling trapped by traditional career expectations or a professional on the "40-40 plan" (working forty hours a week for forty years), this episode is your guide to redefining success and building a lifestyle-first career. Read the original article on BellaNaija: "What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?” The Wrong Question to Ask Kids!"

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About

“Your Better Self with Akanna” was a personal development column by Akanna Okeke on BellaNaija.com that explored the intersection of self-improvement, leadership, discipline, relationships, faith, ambition, and human behavior. Through storytelling, cultural commentary, psychology, and practical life lessons, the column challenged readers to think deeply, grow intentionally, and become better versions of themselves. Its central theme was that meaningful success begins with personal transformation.

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