Lessons from the English Premier League 2012

It was not about Manchester City's climactic win over QPR and Manchester United's early celebrations turning to tears, but the lessons I learned from the crunch day, that made my Sunday night.

Once again, it was all about belief. Soccer pundits say this season's Man-U was the worst team Sir Alex Ferguson has coached in decades, but thanks to an undying mentality, it reached the top where its fate was only sealed by a better goal advantage from its rival. Man-U has a tradition that is decades old – a tradition of knowing every game counts and of playing with their hearts to the last whistle.

The 2012 Champions

Then Man-City showed us what role hunger plays in the success equation. After 44 years of waiting, the club's longing for the trophy was so intense that, as D. Gumisiriza Mwesigye surmised, it "grabbed victory from the jaws of defeat" with two quick goals in the dying minutes to become champions. That is how badly they wanted it.

This is the kind hunger and self-belief that will take you to the top. If you have a definite goal and truly believe you are destined to do mighty exploits, or even rule the world, nothing can stop you. In his book Master Key to Riches, Napoleon Hill puts it beautifully, "If you have your heart fixed on what you want, there is nothing I can do to stop you from getting it."

Man-U was already celebrating while Man-City was still trailing QPR in extra time. But in two minutes, everything had changed. It proved to me when something seems so far away it actually is very near. That is why in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, you must never give up. Instead, push harder like a woman in labour for the joy to follow is always unforgettable.

Finally, it is true that patience does pay. Man-City had to wait a whopping 44 years to get the trophy again. Were you once a winner but today you struggling? Man-City had to be sold off and reinvented through better and hungry players who achieved symbiosis through a smart coach. You might need a reinvention of sorts too; maybe you need to read new books, travel or make partnerships that will help you find your groove again.
One thing for sure, we do not want to die without exploiting our God-given genes of greatness.