“If you truly want something for yourself, then go for it”
These were my mentor's words after he took me for training.
Abdulqudus, there is a potential in you. But only you can unleash it.
I stood before him, having my thoughts far away from reality.
If you can dream it, then you can achieve it. He concluded.
Oooh. Then I think I should have some dreams first then work on making them come to reality. I thought to myself.
The 22nd of November 2023, was my first time practicing fish breeding. I underwent training for months, and I have seen how it's done. But the fact is that there is a clear difference between having understudied something and putting it into practice.
I thought it should be so easy that I would have it right from my first catch. But I think I should just smile at myself since I never knew what was ahead of me. Only if one could foresee what the future has for us, then there might have been just a few or fewer distractions.
I got everything prepared, bought everything I needed for my first practice, and was fully prepared for it. It cost me a lot but I took it as an investment and I should reap my harvest soon.
The next morning, everyone at home was fully in anticipation to see how it would happen, it was like I wanted to perform some kind of sorcery or magic. So I am going to mix and bring out smaller fishes from these bigger ones? They wanted to see what the fries (smaller fish) would look like.
They were happy but I was so scared. All I could think of was disappointment, what if I failed?
I did the breeding process and it was really easier since I got a lot of hands assisting me. Then we all have to wait for 24 hours to see the results. It’s either the outcome is positive or negative.
I got several calls that day from my boss, my mentor, and my friends who knew I would be having my first practice that day. They all called to ask how it went, and I was tirelessly responding to all the calls.
24 hours are over and it's time to check it out. I went to the pond where I spawned and after opening it, all I saw was white eggs. The fertilization didn’t occur? What have I done wrong? I began to question myself in different ways.
Everyone came to check and was disappointed by the failure I had. Not even one of the eggs hatched. I never knew how and what to explain. So instead of me facing tons of questions I just found my way out and then sought solitude.
I was there all alone, thinking about what could have gone wrong. On one end I told myself, this is just the beginning, I trust I still have a long way to go. And on the other end, I have my mind whispered “Give up”.
After a week I tried another, and it turned out to be the same failure. Oooh. I got totally down at this point because not only was I disappointed and discouraged, but I already got so broke that I didn't even think I could afford to do it another time.
It could tell on my face that I have been going through a lot of stress, my eyeballs sunk and I have a pale face too. My skin was telling me that they needed some skincare, but I had no time for that. All I could think of was to get some funds and then try again.
After getting some funds, I was confused and tired of doing it over again. I guess I already have the mindset of failure. After about seven failures.
One day I went to visit my mentor, he asked how I had been doing and I told him I would be taking a break for now. That I just can’t continue with the excessive spending I have been spending. He smiled and said.
You will do it again.
I looked at him and nodded my head. I knew deep down I couldn't.
So, go and take a male Broodstock from my farm and then give it another trail again.
Okay. Thank you so much, sir. I appreciated him.
It took me some time to think about my next line of action. But still, I had to take the male fish he gave me to use. This was after four months of trying and failing. I took to his words and pulled my socks up again. I got everything prepared for the next breeding and it finally became my first ever successful breeding.
Ever since then, I have been getting it right, not until recently again that I have to change the breeds I have to use. So I have been experiencing a hard time again. Hopefully, I will be the one to pull my socks up again.
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