The Standard

September 28 to October 4 2014 THE STANDARD STYLE / MAN / PROFILE 7
Star Profile
Michael Chiduku
“
Every second counts – today is the youngest you’ll ever be…
“
Prudence Muganiwah
Born 23 years ago, Michael
Chiduku is a
bright young man who
is on the path to great
things. A holder of a Bachelor’s
Degree in Business
and Marketing Management
from Oxford Brookes University,
Michael completed ‘O’
levels at Prince Edward School
in Harare and proceeded to ‘A’
Level at St John’s College.
“I am passionate about helping
people realise the potential
they possess and teaching them
how they can harness it in order
to make a positive impact in
the world. Everybody
dreams about what
they aim to
have, do
or be
in life. My passion is helping them realise
their dreams.”
The aspiring bright spark who was
the Student Representative Council
(SRC) President in university, recently
launched an inspiring motivational
book, Awakening Your Inner Greatness,
which he says is a book that is deliberately
set to inspire people to dream big
dreams and chase after them. “I always
say, ‘We live in a big world and a big
world needs big dreamers.’”
The young achiever is a leader in
the making as evidenced by how he also
founded Leaders of Tomorrow Society,
a leadership club which he started in
2011 at university. He also represented
Zimbabwe in track and field athletics at
the 2010 World Junior Championships in
Canada.
His book, which is now available at
all Insignia bookstores nationwide, according
to him, will help one get from
where they are to where they are actually
meant to be in life. “It’s a straightforward
manual to success that is rooted
on Biblical principles.”
The book covers a plethora of topics,
ranging from goal setting, mentorship,
adapting to unexpected change
and living with a positive mentality
at all times. “I enjoy seeing
the bright smile on people’s faces
when they become aware of what
they are truly capable of accomplishing
in life.”
Young as he is, understands
how it is important
for one to pick themselves up
after a fall, as to him, these
are only passing phases. He
admits that one of the biggest
challenges he has faced
thus far is quitting itself.
“As I embarked on
the journey to write Awakening
Your Inner Greatness,
I had several “good
excuses” to quit. One of
the major excuses I could
have entertained was the
fact that I am a young
person. I wondered how
many people were willing
to read a book written
by a young author.”
A staunch Christian, he
quickly dismisses this
negative thought and convinced
himself that one’s
age is not a reflection of one’s
wisdom. “You are never too
young to start working towards
your dream. For a season, I felt
so helpless and pessimistic about
life. Seeing the smiles on these people’s
faces is a reminder of the person
I once was and it helps me to be
grateful for who I am today. My sincere
desire is for everybody to experience the
joy I felt when I realised and tapped into
my potential.”
The aspirational writer is a firm
believer in the principle of sowing and
reaping, stating that the countless hours
of hard work and dedication that one invests
in whatever they set themselves to
will soon pay off. “Some seeds germinate
and grow faster than others but the principle
still remains -- as much as there is
a season to sow, you will have a season to
reap. Zig Ziglar once said, “Success is a
personal standard, reaching for the highest
in us, becoming all that we can be.”
He goes on to quote one of his favourite
verses;
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man
sharpens another” – Proverbs 27:17.
The humble young man, with a huge
appetite for rice with peanut butter, encourages
people to be authentic and to
keep company that is good for them, as
they greatly influence who they are likely
to become in life. “We are all born as
originals but many die as carbon copies
of other individuals. Don’t waste time
trying to run another person’s race, focus
on your lane and you will be amazed
by what awaits you at the finish line. Can
you confidently say that your friends are
positively contributing to your life’s ambitions?”
The still single Michael, who spends
most of his time off his 8-5 daily work
routine composing songs, playing his
guitar, watching and listening to self-development
videos and audios, values his
family a lot. “What I enjoy the most about
my family is that we support one another.
My parents have been great pillars of
support in my career and they were typically
my first role models.” He also holds
in high regard his mentor, Douglas Mamvura,
and Dr Shingi Munyeza, a Senior
Pastor at his church (Faith Ministries).
The self-confessed neat freak says
he can’t stand disorder. “I am the kind
of person who straightens up a tilted
picture frame. I am also very time conscious.
Every second counts – today is the
youngest you’ll ever be.”
“
As iron
sharpens iron,
so one man
sharpens
another
– Proverbs 27:17.
“