I am a seed, I grow stronger and bigger.

Qudus! You are not taking it slow this year!

Ahhh. Sir! I slowly responded with a calm voice over the phone.

My face was filled with a smile but I could feel the energy coming from within.

My boss added, No chill time this year! January is almost over.

I gently responded. Yes sir.

I think I have a lot of respect for my boss, the same way he has for me. I don't know why, but I respect him so much that I don't want eye contact between us whenever we have physical conversations.

The conversation prompted when he saw my status upload on WhatsApp, I went to the marketplace to get a new and sealed tarpaulin for the pond I would be adding to my pond. I guess I had to learn from experience most of the time. But I am taking them for betterment and growth.

I got a new tarpaulin because I recently overstocked about 10,000 fingerlings in a pond and didn’t have the time to change their water at the right time. This really affected them, and I had a higher mortality rate. I knew it was my mistake, and I blamed myself so hard for the loss.

I felt the pain within me, but I never showcased it to anyone. That's the way of a businessman. And I am just way into it. So it prompted me to get an extra pond that would take more capacity than the former ones.

I went for a 14 by 7 size compared to the 12 by 5 I have been using. This time around I also decided to get a clean sweep of the color too. I went for a blue-colored tarpaulin compared to the black-colored tarpaulin I have been using.

I believe this must have wowed my boss and impressed him that I am kinda doing well, hopefully, he should be proud to have me as one of his students.

The struggle continues

I knew I already made my mistakes, I learned my lesson, and I counted an additional negativity in my experience, but should that really define me? No! I think I have become way stronger! And I won't be backing out.

I have decided to even go double-fold the count I made in this recent production. I guess I should keep up with my all-time high, have a clean sweep for every production, and not get to a point of diminishing returns.

My first production was tough and rough. I got a production of about 7000 fingerlings, my next production reached another all-time high of 10,000 fingerlings, and my recent production also reached another threshold of about 28,000 fingerlings but I lost some due to space factors.

I felt motivated and encouraged, hitting those high times really got me motivated though most times I feel so weak and tired from the stress that comes from it. But I believe I can do better.

Up next, I think I would be aiming for a production of about 40,000 and also get myself prepared for the challenge that would come alongside. It's most times inevitable, but facing it without fear is what defines freedom.

Mum came around to check on my work a few days ago. She patted me.

Abdul-qudus, my son. Weldone ooo.

I smiled, and I saw a brighter smile on Mum’s face.

Thank you ma. I responded.

So how can I be of help? Are you not tired? Hope you are not stressed. She asked out of concern.

I thought to myself, Mums would always be Mums.

Mummy don't worry, for now, I can still handle this, but surely when the time comes, I will seek more hands.

Keep it up, my son. God will bless you and your business.

I happily escorted her back inside.

I just have to be prepared for the new phase I am about to embark on. I have also been considering some new projects, and I guess this will surely amaze a lot of people. But I don't have any reason to rush it. I am surely taking it one step after the other.

I have a dream to accomplish something great this year. I want to establish the rearing section of my farm and not just depend on the breeding section I am focusing on. I knew it would take me a lot to set up. I am trying to get myself prepared financially and mentally. I believe the clean sweep will surely be another milestone for me.