Imagine spending 60 exhausting hours engaged in a mental battle where every move could impact the fate of countless underprivileged African children. Humanitarian and founder of Chess in Slums, Tunde Onakoya, recently took on this monumental challenge during a chess marathon in Times Square, New York, on April 19, 2024.
The world stood still! Global papers and news media were buzzing for more than three days.
Why? Tunde Onakoya shattered the Guinness World Record for the longest chess game ever played. Your first time hearing of the chess game? Then, let’s give you a quick heads-up:
“The game of chess is a board game involving two players maneuvering various pieces across the board to outwit and capture each other’s king with strategy and tactics.”
In Onakoya’s case, his mission was clear: raise $1,000,000 to empower disadvantaged children across Africa. To rally support, he faced off against his opponent, American chess champion Shawn Martinez, in an uninterrupted chess match that lasted over 60 hours.
Did you know?
The original time mark for the game was 58 hours. However, Tunde pushed himself for 60 hours, daring to achieve the impossible and defy his limits.
As history was made on the chessboard, we couldn’t help but draw valuable investment lessons inspired by Tunde Onakoya. Here are some insights we find inspiring:
1. Have a go-getter mentality:
Have you ever seen the movie No Retreat, No Surrender? Onakoya’s rallying cry of “Don’t quit!” resonates with the exact same conviction in his daring to change the lives of countless children in the slum areas of Africa. As an investor, you should have that same conviction in mind. Staying ambitious and ensuring every investment counts is essential. Investors must commit to achieving their financial objectives with unwavering determination.
In both chess and investment, the mantra ‘Don’t quit!’ echoes loudly. Without it, investors won’t reach their long-term financial goals effectively.
2. Strategize and diversify:
As the clock ticked, the only thought in Tunde Onakoya’s mind was how to adapt and evolve strategies to outmaneuver his opponent. What does this teach you as an investor? In order to reduce risk and increase gains, you need to use different strategies and diversify your investments across different asset types and sectors.
In the game of chess and investing alike, diversification and strategy are the cornerstones of success in both chess and investing. Spreading your investments wisely allows you to weather market fluctuations and position yourself for long-term growth.
3. Stay headstrong with your goals:
Every heavy piece he played, every drop of sweat in those long hours that seemed like ages, showed unwavering perseverance and tenacity; even amid his tired mind and body, Tunde dared to challenge his limits and those of previous chess masters.
What do you notice about this? With this kind of rock-solid determination, it wasn’t a surprise that he could flawlessly break the world record. In investment, being able to persevere is critical because the markets are inherently unpredictable and setbacks are inevitable. You just need to plant your feet on it without moving; the candlestick will rise, and the graph will become bullish sooner than you think.
This is why, to be a successful investor, you must be dogged. You must continue investing even when faced with challenges, because it is a long-term game. Only by consistently investing will you be able to accumulate long-term wealth.
4. Your intentional actions generate support:
Have you ever desired any kind of support in your journey?
Tunde’s actions garnered global support, emphasizing the importance of proactive steps in eliciting support for one’s endeavors. Showing unequivocal commitment towards your financial goals can attract the desired backing, whether raising funding or seeking more investment opportunities.
Tunde Onakoya’s chess challenge teaches us that intentional actions breed support. As an investor, taking concrete and visible steps toward financial stability can attract the backing of other investors and stakeholders.
But the question is, are you taking those actions today?
Conclusion
With these investment lessons inspired by Tunde Onakoya, we can see his extraordinary journey offers realistic lessons for investment success. His efforts, from investing in countless slum children in Africa to daring to put the world on hold in his chess marathon, show that success is not luck or accident. Therefore, embrace these lessons today and start applying them to your financial adventures. We look forward to your story of success and empowerment.
Now, over to you: what are your key takeaways from Tunde Onakoya’s story?
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