SDGs and You: It takes positive thinking to attain the SDGs

Positive Thinking Matters Don’t Leave Yourself Behind

"Mindset set shift is critical to development..." Charles Akpoki, 2016. What has positive thinking with development? is  a question I asked myself during the radio interview with our spectacular resource person, Mr. Charles Akpoki on "Positive Thinking An Inroad To Sustainable Development" on Quest 93.1FM, Nigeria.

What then is positive thinking?

Positive thinking is a process that involves our good mindset towards a particular circumstance. According to “Leadingpersonality” and “Wonderopolis”, both online resources: "Positive thinking is a mental attitude in which people expect good and favorable results... a positive mind waits for happiness, health and a happy ending in any situation.” “A positive attitude doesn't mean ignoring life's troubles. It just means being an optimist and looking for the good in things, rather than being a pessimist and concentrating on the bad in things.”

Towards my Country...no ifs, no buts...my Country is Possible!!!

Positive thinking hence doesn’t entail just being onlookers or passersby, we must stir it in a right and progressive direction- eventually beneficial for all. But how does this link to societal development, “… Development can be defined as efforts that seek to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for a community…it involves poverty reduction, equity and job creation.”

When we are expectant of positive results from our governments, we believe they have duties and responsibilities towards the citizens but what are our roles as citizens? Do you think citizens have corresponding roles and responsibilities? What is the role of our patriotism?

Think of the present state of your country and imagine the desired outcome and work toward it!!!

Yes. Our countries may have disillusioned the masses for so long that they lack any meaningful level of patriotism but the significant question is about the role of our patriotism. However, all is not lost as the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations seeks some aspirations to resolve some of the world’s development challenges that’s why its committed to leave no one behind- you and I. If the world is geared towards leaving no one behind why then embrace negativity which prompt us to unconsciously leave ourselves behind. While we are highly expectant of the proceeds of the SDGs, we must collaborate and contribute via a positive attitude to make it happen. SDGs are not for the government alone but it is a development agenda for all, from a context specific perspective.

Through the SDGs, its possible!!!!

So don’t leave yourself behind…

·         We leave ourselves behind when we do not pick an interest in the development aspirations.

·         We leave ourselves behind when we vote in the wrong candidate to rule.

·         We leave ourselves behind when we do not get involved in what our government is doing… remember we elected them into office.

·         We leave ourselves behind when we do not ask questions and seek answers from elected officials.

·         We leave ourselves behind when we do not seek for local solutions and work with other relevant civil societies in forming a collective voice towards development initiatives.

·         We leave ourselves behind when we do not know the procurement outcomes for providing public services.

·         We leave ourselves behind when we patronize foreign goods over homemade products. Remember the carbon footprints in importation processes.

·         We leave yourself behind when the thread of corruption runs in your blood as the funds for private services are in the pockets of public servants.

·     You leave yourself behind when you don’t care for the environment… the environment needs you more than you do.

·         In summary you leave yourself behind when you contribute to the negative things happening around you

Develop a positive attitude and get involved in the development agenda in your country… ask yourself some deep questions. How can I make my country better? A collective voice, a collective awareness and a collective positive mind set makes some if not all the difference.

Be SDGs compliant😉😉😉😉😉😉😉