PERSEVERE UNTIL SUCCESS HAPPENS (P.U.S.H.) - CONCLUDING PART

Have you ever felt like giving up when you meet road-blocks, delays and discouragement? I hope as you read along, you will resolve to persevere until you see your success. Someone once said, there's no testimony without a test, no message without a mess, and so when things are seemingly impossible - that's when you need to look yourself in the mirror and say, 'I'M-POSSIBLE'. If you didn't read the earlier post on "P.U.S.H" then you may want to pause here, go through my blog and read that first. It would help you follow this concluding part.

With Mum and Dad on graduation day

Now the long day spent, in order to be screened, at 'White Avenue' had finally ended. Life of course must go on. Each passing day without any news diminished my excitement a bit. I kept hoping for news from my dad's office, requesting me to pick up a letter addressed to me, yet no such news came.  Luckily for me, I stayed in touch with Adwoa whom I had met on the screening day; we kept encouraging each other to expect good news. Well one day she shared her good news with me, the long-awaited letter had finally reached her and delivered to her the joyful news of being a shortlisted candidate for the next stage. I became excited once more because now there was news and I knew mine would be no different. And since sometimes good things come to those who wait but better things come to those who chase, I decided to visit the 'White Avenue' for further information. Upon reaching the office, I introduced myself and someone asked if I was related to one staff member known as Bro Eric. The person assumed that bearing the same surname, we were related. But that wasn't the case. I was asked to wait for him, since he would know about the list of those who were to receive letters or so. After a brief period, he walked in and was informed of my presence and reason for being there. He kindly agreed to check, and scrolled through a list and said 'Ah you should have received your letter by now. I took the number to the office and oh boy, I'm sure madame Beatrice got tired of the caller who was always asking of Bro. Eric ever since that day. He was helpful and I would say my angel sent from above. 

Lo and behold, the day slated for the aptitude exam came, my dad dropped me off at the WAEC hall an hour before time and wished me luck. I had still not received my letter which was going through my dad's office postal address. It was the numerous calls to the office, to make inquiries, that made me aware that I had been shortlisted for the exams - although the location was not fully confirmed. After waiting for half an hour and not seeing anyone coming towards the WAEC hall, I decided to walk to the Christ the King Hall some few meters away; since that was periodically used by institutions to conduct examinations as well. At this time, I was quite worried. I could only see people cladded in black at the main entrance of the Church and the place was crowded with others who seem to have attended a funeral service. But I didn't turn back, I kept walking further towards another group of people; everyone seemed to huddle round in circles reading one newspaper or magazine, and others were in engaged in some sort of discussions. The sheer sight of newspapers, books, etc. that people had on them was enough to get me panicky. I thought to myself, didn't daddy say an aptitude test was going to test my logical reasoning, etc. and he asked me to even practice essays on  why I wanted to be an air-hostess in the first place? So why the frenzy as if it was a current affairs examination about to take place here. Well, I managed to calm my nerves as we were ushered in, to take our seats for the exams. Let's just say it was what I hoped for - and the essay daddy asked me to practice on, was exactly what came. Ever since that time, I always ensure that at least the reason why I want to do something is always at my finger tips. I did my best and left the rest to God. 

Unlike previous times, only a few days had passed by, when I got information from Adwoa, confirming receipt of a medical screening letter; I quickly placed a call to the office and by God's grace, my name was among the selected ones to be screened - as you can tell, I had given up on checking the postal service from my dad's office. Only God knows how often I would walk down to that office to ask the clerk about letters addressed to my dad or myself; just to return home empty-handed. To cut a long story short, none of the letters reached me before their intended dates. Let's just say, my letters got to me only after the effect. 

I'm glad to say that, when you have God's grace paving the way for you, there's nothing that man can do to stop your breakthrough. God being so good, the medical screening was a success and this time around, I got a call to come for the final interview. The message said, I should only approach the interview area when it was an hour to my time slot. So at the appointed time, I walked in and met a Baba Zachariah and others seated on a sofa in the waiting area. 

If you can identify the tallest - then you've seen Baba

I greeted and everyone responded. Suddenly Baba  asked me, 'why are you here at this time? Don't you know you're not supposed to be here until you are called? Hoping that didn't mean I was going to be disqualified at this eleventh hour, I quickly said, 'Please I was asked to come up when it's an hour to my interview and....'  before I could explain any further, the rest suddenly burst out laughing and told me not to mind him because he was also a candidate waiting to be interviewed. Pheew - that was close. He spoke so confidently when he questioned me, so I thought he was a manager there or something. Well as they say, the rest is history. That became a joke that was shared among a few of us from time to time.


During our very first year as the Millenium Cabin Crew of Ghana Airways, two air-crafts were involved in accidents. But we did not give up. Learning to serve customers up in the sky, always preparing your mind for an emergency, etc. was quite an experience. The friends, the flights, the frights though scary, and even the petty fights when your expected schedules changed suddenly or you got a hint of an attempted international flight with your coded name was being swapped for a local flight, to destinations you weren't so much into hahahahaha....well it all made the experience what it was! Having the opportunity to work with other crew during leased-aircraft periods made me realize the similarities in the nature of the job, as well as the differences we all had that was unique to our cultural backgrounds, as Ghanaians. And that is why I still dream of our own National Airline in operation one day soon. A few scary flights here and there, always made me think about the long-term nature of my dream career. I begun to realize that when one dream is achieved, you don't simply relax and sit back. But you dream of bigger ones to come. I now entertained the idea of returning to school so I could work in the administrative department of the company. This led me to question others on what they were doing aside just picking rosters and marking their flight schedules. I was blessed to be on a flight with Sister Helen and she told me about the IATA courses she had enrolled in. She encouraged me to do same and I took her advice; I got enrolled in the programme which was by distance learning via Singapore. I pursued these self-study courses until I earned the Diploma in Airline Studies Certificate, for having completed 4 courses (Airline Marketing, Station Management, Customer Service & Introduction to the Airline Industry) in three years. If you have read my post about my late father, you would notice that my final IATA paper was written on the very day his one week celebration was being held at home, after his demise - that was a tough one, but I made it through by divine grace. The Lord has always been faithful and I passed that final stage to earn the Diploma. 

Wherever Aunty Shirley, Bro. Eric and Aunty Beatrice are, I pray that God would remember them too for their support in making a young girl's dream come true. And to sister Olivia, who coached me in how to walk, talk and dress up and be presentable, and guided me throughout the recruitment stages I say may God continue to show you His favour. Isn't it amazing that all who took an active part in helping me bared similar names to mine? This goes to tell you that God works in mysterious ways. 

I am fully conscious of the fact that my success has been by the favour of God. Because in Christ I have a heritage; and he makes the boundaries to fall for me in pleasant places - Psalm 16:6. And I know, that he who has begun a good work in me, shall complete it until the day of Jesus Christ. I now look out for bigger dreams to achieve. Let's keep hope alive. Let's put our trust in the Lord. Let's look up to Him - and above all through fervent prayers, let's persevere until success happens. As you can tell, the sky is not even our limit. Let's scale higher heights.

And that was one of my 'offices'  - now a restaurant on the ground

PATRICIA DZIFA MENSAH-LARKAI, DTM

FOUNDER, LEAD CONSULTANT - PERISSOS HORIZON

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Public Speaking Development - How Ghana Toastmasters Can Help

PATRICIA DZIFA MENSAH-LARKAI, ACG, ALB

FOUNDER, LEAD CONSULTANT - PERISSOS HORIZON

Perissos Horizon Facebook Page

Instagram: @Perissos.Horizon 

Twitter Handles:

 @PerissosHorizon 

 @TheAkosuaDzifa 

My blog - TheAkosuaDzifa

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ patriciamensahlarkai/

PERSEVERE UNTIL SUCCESS HAPPENS – P.U.S.H. (as defined by Dr. Cindy Trimm)

Receiving my Ab-initio Certificate as Cabin Crew

On Sunday, 29^th January this year as I sat and listened to Rev. Delali Bodza preaching at church, I knew I still had to persevere if I wanted to realize more of my dreams. Because whatever good thing we desire for ourselves, would surely be challenged. But we must persevere in prayer, in doing what is required of us, to position ourselves for the good we want to achieve. Whenever I think about my journey into the Airline Industry, I can only say, if not for God! Indeed as a young girl growing up, I was always elated when I saw one of my paternal Aunties, visit us at home clad in her fine office apparel. Her fragrance would last for hours long after she’s departed our home, and my siblings and I would dash quickly to daddy’s side for some of the goodies she left behind. She exuded so much confidence, grace and sheer presence. I asked my dad what she does and he said, “your Aunty is an Airhostess”. He was so proud of his sister, we actually had a photo of her framed on our living room wall. It sounded like a big deal to me, as little as I was at the time. Of course many questions followed afterwards - day in and day out, I entertained the idea of becoming like her. 

As I grew up into a teenager, the passion grew even more. At school, my father encouraged us all to take the French subject seriously. He simply couldn't fathom why French had not been incorporated into our educational syllabus soon after Independence. Knowing my desire to be an Airhostess, he said it would be a plus in making it to Ghana Airways, if I could speak French. So I took much delight in the language and would pay attention whenever Mr. Degle was in class. “Degle-man” as we affectionately referred to him, was the French teacher at my Primary school and was passionate about getting us to understand this language too.

Back home, Dad would have the French teacher living in the boy’s quarters, take us through extra French lessons after school hours. I loved this language and failed to understand why so many of my friends didn’t enjoy the subject. By sheer grace, I had the opportunity to travel to Switzerland with Angela Karikari-Mensah, as participants in the Coalition of the Children of the Earth Summit. I witnessed first-hand what an Airhostess does. At thirteen years by then, and being my first time travelling abroad, I was quite scared. But the Airhostess made us feel at ease with her smiles. She brought us a cool bag for kids, because we travelled as UMs, or minors on that flight. She brought us food and drinks, milk, etc. oh it was exciting. Well we did not have quite the same experience on the return flight though. Because we met another Airhostess who was not too enthused about our requests for almost everything onboard. And I guess that’s why she gave us no warning at all when we asked for this bright coloured pinkish drink which tasted so bitter and awful. It simply means people can be different in their approaches to work. The great ones leave good memories, and the not so great, teach us some lessons for the future. Anyway, it was several years later, that I discovered the name of the 'bitter' drink - it was grapefruit juice Hahaha. Oh boy, only God knows how long it took to finish the first big gulp we both had in our mouths – of course the rest of the drink stayed in the cup until it was time to clear the cabin, as we hit a terribly turbulence. Before touching down, these attendants would walk briskly through the cabin, even when the aircraft seemed to be in steep slopes - they kept walking through the cabin to check on seatbelts, etc. I knew at that moment that I would do all it takes to join this profession. I will share more about Switzerland’s experience some other day. But the flights to and fro, reinforced my passion and desire to explore other countries and reignited my desire to become an Airhostess.

After one of our long-haul flights 

After Basic School, I decided to pursue a General Arts programme that would afford me the opportunity to Study Geography – to learn about different places, and French to gain an added advantage, etc. However, luck was not on my side because Accra Girls’ Secondary (now Senior High) School did not offer a combination that would allow me study Geography and French at the same time; as my elective programme. 

French was combined with History and CRM or some other course. But I didn’t relent; I persevered in the option I was given which was Geography, Economics and Elective Mathematics. Tough combination for one who wasn’t a Maths fun. But our Elective Maths teacher was patron of the School’s computer club which encouraged me to join the club and learn more about computers. So it wasn’t all doom and gloom (this actually came in very handy, because while some friends were attending computer classes after secondary school, I was studying French) – The computer club meetings and excursions broadened my knowledge and soft skills in computers and gave me the launchpad I needed to be computer literate. After Secondary School, there was a one year break before University, as I noted earlier. My parents enrolled me at the Alliance Française d’Accra where I continued studying French from level 100 until level 500. This spanned one full year and half where I got to meet my dear Melissa Obro Mitcham, Vivian Badoo, Mrs. Erica Wilson, Nene Akwetey, Stephen Kemetse and many more.  I successfully passed my CEFP 2 (Practical French) and Diplome de langue Française by the grace of God. I recall the long walks each day from the 37 trotro station, to Alliance Française. Tuition was expensive then and probably still is. It challenged me further to make every cedi count. I continued to the Ghana Airways Training Centre to pursue their Airline Passenger Handling, Sales and Reservations Course. Certainly, this journey didn’t come without drama - as I was almost turned away for joining the class late. But I knew deep down that it was all by God’s grace. I met great people along the way, who inspired and challenged me not to give up on my dreams. We all need people that would motivate us to do more.

A CALL TO SERVE

Once more, this is just me thinking out loud. Why would one desire to achieve more in life, if not for the purposes of doing more for others and the society at large. Your achievements, whether great or small, were as a result of your inner conviction, passion, desire and hope, to be successful in the area of focus, and the believe that God will crown your efforts with good success. 

One thing I have observed, is that seemingly successful people, did not wallow in defeat or failure for long. They use these testing moments to reenergize and rethink their decision to tread that same path they are on, using a different approach or to change the path they are on, in order to achieve a different result. The good thing to note here, is that successful people don't throw in the towel at the emergence of an obstacle. They either jump over it, go beside it, or simply push that obstacle away. It is not to say that the obstacles do not cause pain, anxiety, desperation or doubt; but those are the very negative emotions that give power to obstacles. Simply decide that you do not see nor give power to those obstacles, but rather start telling yourself, "I can make it", " It is possible", " It's not over yet"... As you keep encouraging yourself in this manner, you stay motivated and you're able to think outside the box that seeks to limit your potential to achieve more.

Another thing I have observed, is the moment you succeed at one thing, the door is opened for you to explore another higher level; which comes with its own level of challenges. In any case, are we not all seeking to challenge ourselves? So why should we cringe at the fact that the higher up you go, the more difficult the obstacles may become. Hence it is very important for us to prepare ourselves for the unknown. Instead of being afraid of the unknown, let us tell ourselves that the skills we gathered at the previous level, are going to enable us to find the right footing to propel us ahead. Do not by any means think that all this can be done without reliance on God. My strength and source of encouragement comes from God, and for those who believe that, the climb to the top, wherever that is for you, becomes more effortlessly achieved. 

The call to serve is an observation that I have made, as churning from the desire to share your experiences with others. So that they can learn from your mistakes to avoid repeating them, so that they can learn from your commitment and build on theirs, so that they can be inspired by your journey and carry on with their walk. So let us all recognize that we have been called to serve, one way or the other. We owe it a duty to pass own good examples unto the next generation and even unto members of our own generation who are looking for a reason to go on achieving something worthy of emulation.

PATRICIA DZIFA MENSAH-LARKAI, DTM

FOUNDER, LEAD CONSULTANT - PERISSOS HORIZON

Perissos Horizon Facebook Page

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