Legacy Skills For Independence Day
The status quo is not sacred, it is simply what exists
Herbert Macaulay
Lagos, 1944.
Herbert Macaulay was 80 years old.
Most people his age were resting. They accepted things as they were.
But Herbert? He was different.
He boarded a train and toured Nigeria. Herbert fought for independence.
Why?
Because someone had to say it: “This isn’t how things have to be.”
The British Empire ruled Nigeria for decades.
It became the norm. The structure. The “way things work.”
And challenging it? That was risky. Uncomfortable. Unrealistic.
But Herbert understood something powerful: The status quo only serves those who benefit from it.
So he made a choice.
He pushed back, protested, wrote and organized.
He refused to accept “normal” just because everyone else did.
And here’s the thing, he didn’t live to see independence in 1960.
But his courage? It cracked the system wide enough for others to break through.
That’s a legacy skill. The kind that outlives you.
How does this relate to your Career
What’s your colonial rule?
Is it the 9-to-5 that drains you but pays the bills?
Maybe it’s the career path everyone says is “safe.”
Or perhaps it’s the fear of speaking up because “that’s just how things are here.”
Here’s the truth: The norm is comfortable. But comfort isn’t growth.
Think about it.
The status quo wants you quiet. It wants you to fit in. To not rock the boat. To accept “this is just how it is.”
But growth? Growth demands something different.
It demands survival skills. Skills like courage. Vision. The audacity to question what everyone accepts.
Herbert Macaulay didn’t wait for permission to fight for freedom.
He didn’t wait until it felt safe or convenient.
He just started.
And that made all the difference.
So today, on Independence Day, I’m asking you:
What are you accepting that you shouldn’t?
What norm are you following that’s holding you back?
Do you have the courage to break free?
The status quo is safe. It’s stable. It’s familiar.
But does it bring growth?
You already know the answer.
Here’s what you can do next:
First, take the Soft Skills Assessment on the
Career Paddy App on Play Store
Career Paddy App on Apple Store.
Discover which legacy skills you already have. Find out which ones you need to build your own independence.
Then, visit CareerPaddy. Explore more survival skills. Learn how they’ll help you grow in your career. Break barriers. Build the future you deserve.
And if you need a guide? Book a session with your Paddy. Get a mentor who’ll walk with you as you claim your freedom.
Happy Independence Day, Nigeria.
Now go claim yours.
NigeriaAt65 #IndependenceDay #CareerGrowth #SoftSkills #LegacySkills #CareerPaddy
