Soldier Go, Soldier Come... Barrack Remain.

You have to toughen up. These struggles, issues and pressures aren't going anywhere. Truth is, life isn't going to come at you just the way you want it. You have to be ready for anything!

Someone just left that uncomfortable situation. You can too. Just like you, they had been stuck in their situation for months… or years now. The duration doesn’t matter. But, the person has finally left that situation, and it’s your turn to do the same.

You'd think that with that amount of pressure you're constantly getting; from work, life & relationships, life could possibly not exist outside the pressure, WRONG!

You worry too much about what other people think. I don’t think they worry and think about you that much. Why are you then stressing yourself? Live your life for you o ! - Adekunle Olopade

The fact that we have been psychologically led to believe that a negative situation is not as bad as it is - IS EXACTLY WHY WE NEED TO LEAVE THAT SITUATION.

A couple of months back, i wrote something. 10 things you'll pick up from working in a toxic environment. But not really things you will learn from - at least maybe not when you're still working there - but, you see the funny thing, it was only after i was done writing, i realized that i have been immersed in a toxic environment for so long and i didn’t know (or couldn’t see) what it is doing to me. So, i decided to change my approach to things.

By the way, here are the 10 things i talked about earlier.

1. The toxic environment will change you. The longer you're there, the farther away you're driving from your truth and probably your career goals.

2. You'll be playing a losing game if your immediate response is to beat them at their own game. They've been there longer. They most definitely understand the system and structure way more than you do. You'll get burnt eventually.

3. The more you give yourself to a toxic environment, in an attempt to change the narrative being paraded about you, the more you lose yourself - and most likely your will to do more.

4. Regardless of what you think, or how you think things should be done. Your boss is and always will be right. And when the needs arises, you NEED to conform and massage he/she's ego.

5. The work was never about what you bring to the table. It probably never will. The work has always been, are you useful and obedient your boss when he/she requires you to bend a little.

6. This is a bonus; your rise in a toxic environment is very dependent on how much you can bend and twist when you're least required to.

7. Your KPI and JD doesn't really matter. What matters is, do you follow up, and atleast look like you're working and killing yourself for the job.

8. The ones who do the least get all the recognition and glory. Yes. Or atleast that's what you think.

9. Forming alliances and relationships with the stronger people at the risk of making your boss look bad, is a double edged sword. The victory will always be temporary.

10. If you're already feeling the need to get out. There's never really a "good" exit point and the longer you wait, the chances are that the situation doesn't improve itself. Even if it looks like it is.

Here’s something i think you need to see. Read it one more time.

But as far as work is concerned, watch this video. I guarantee you, it will change your perspective about work completely - and maybe other things too.

The major essence of this draft and email to you is basically,

Don’t allow always looking forward to the anticipated and unexpected, stop you from living your life in the present.

So many beautiful things are happening around you. If only you pause to look up and appreciate your surroundings, you would see that pressures will always be there. They would come and go. But, they aren’t enough to stop you from living your life for you.

Take a breather once in a while and allow yourself enjoy things too.

My name is Adekunle, the #ElderStatesman and I want to start sending you emails. Emails like this, where I (we) talk about life, stuff and ofocurse some other hard truth that no one really likes talking about.

Everyone is just winging it and/or going through life HARD. I don’t think you have to do it alone. If you'll have or let me, I guess we can do it together.

My name is ElderStatesman and I'll like to send you emails. But, hopefully, it’s on a more personal note next time. Please subscribe, so we can get to know each other better. Talk to you soon. #elder