NO RESEARCH; NO DEVELOPMENT

The day began as a normal day. What I didn't know was that I was going to learn something valuable for my life and definitely not end the day normally. I had prepared breakfast for my mom and packed some for myself to eat later in school that day. The journey to school that morning, I wouldn't say I enjoyed it because my mind was wandering from pillar to post — "how I wan tek improve my life like this? I fit do this one, I fit do that one but anyone wey fit call myself , baba for, no de". The battle in my mind went on for a long time and the 15 minutes journey almost became an hour's journey in my mind. I was almost driven past my bus stop. Thank God, I had informed the driver of my destination before I boarded the cab. "Eyen ufok nwed eyem ke'de idap ke moto, Mme ikidehe ke okeneyo?" (This student is sleeping in the vehicle, did he not sleep at night?). The person beside me said in my local dialect before he tapped me to go down that I had gotten to my destination. Though I pretended not to hear that he was wondering if I didn't sleep at night, considering the fact that I was dozing in the vehicle. I alighted and said with a broad smile, "Thank you Sir".

 I managed to get to the class on time and picked a comfortable spot at the third roll by the wall. Mr. Idoko came in, and the class on the most dreadful courses for the semester, "Performance Management", began. I briefly heard "Classification of Cost" then I went off. My mind continued from where we had stopped in the bus, reminiscing on the thoughts of how to improve my life. Next thunder voice that brought me back to reality was “What do we mean by Research and Development?” The class fell silent, with all eyes fixed on the lecturer, hoping he would provide the answer. But instead, he asked again, this time louder and with emphasis, "What do we mean when we say Research and Development?" The silence was finally broken as I raised my hand reluctantly and answered "This means making findings on strategic ideas and moves that when implemented will help to develop the organization and move it forward". Mr. Idoko nodded in approval and continued, "You see, when an organization makes research on strategic matters that concern them and then applies it appropriately, there is bound to be development." As he spoke, a profound realization hit me – this concept of research and development isn't just limited to organizations or accounting; it's a universal principle that applies to every aspect of life.

Think about it – how can I expect to become a master at the things I know how to do when I do not take the time to research and understand the things that matter? As I pondered more on those words, I realized that whether it's my career, relationship, health, or personal growth, research is essential for my progress, achieving success and all-round development.

I couldn't even wait for the class to end, I turned to the back of my Performance Management note and began writing with vigour. In today's fast-paced, rapidly changing world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life and forget to take the time to research and reflect on our goals and aspirations. But the truth is, without research and development, we risk stagnation and mediocrity. So, what does research and development look like in everyday life? It might mean reading books and articles related to your field or interests, attending workshops and conferences, seeking out mentors or coaches, or simply taking the time to reflect on your experiences and identify areas for improvement. 

I raised my head from my book only to discover that the class had ended and Mr. Idoko had left the class. I quickly brought out my phone from my tote bag and began to actually do research on "research and development" for the article I was already writing and I found this particular illustration quite exciting. "You're an entrepreneur looking to launch a new product or service. Without research and development, you might rush into the market without a clear understanding of your target audience, competition, or market trends. But by taking the time to research and develop your idea, you can create a product or service that meets the needs of your customers, serve them with excellence and thus sets you apart from the competition to actually succeed".

I got to understand that, similarly, in our personal lives, research and development can help us make informed decisions about our health, relationships, and career. By taking the time to research and understand our options, we can avoid costly mistakes and make choices that align with our values and goals. Take steps that encourage us to find ourselves, develop and hone our skills and become experts at what we do.

As our lecturer so aptly put it, I continued, "You cannot and will not be developed when you do not do research concerning the things that matter in your life, and apply them appropriately." Revealing to us that research is essential for development and thereby achieving success in every area of life. Whether as an entrepreneur, student, or simply looking to improve your personal life, taking the time to research and develop your ideas and goals can make all the difference.

I ended my writing, and brought out my well packed lunch and began munching it while determining within me that I will take time to research on my ideas, goals, and present skills, then apply my findings so that I could develop accordingly. I'm sure my future self will thank me; this I know.