Fated to Win: 7 Steps to Finding Meaningful Success

By Madiama Mbaye

Why is the flight of birds, the swimming of a fish or the flight of a soaring eagle not surprising? Well, it is because these actions are what these creatures were created to do. So, how come winning can be problematic for human beings when it is their birthright? In fact when you are winning, you are not doing anything special. You are just being yourself. It's when you are failing that you are malfunctioning and out of alignment. Any tool under the sun will perform correctly if utilized for its intended purpose. Similarly, humans will always find meaningful success when we discover what it is we were meant to do and then take the appropriate action steps. What you are about to read on the following pages is a combination of personal experiences, stories, analyses of books on Success written by those who came before, coupled with insights into life coming from an oral tradition, where knowledge was passed on through stories told around the campfire. This book is the true story of a man from humble beginnings in Senegal who through hard work, vision, commitment and discipline managed to live out the American dream reaching new heights. Madiama Mbaye, in Fated 2 Win shares the seven key steps that helped make him a success story. As much as this story is a page turner, this book is brimming with helpful life advice and wisdom. Mbaye's rock-solid and timeless work is bound to be a purchase you are guaranteed not to regret and a tool you will use throughout your life's journey.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Madiama Mbaye
• Release date: Jan 20, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224911981

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Madiama Mbaye

Copyright © 2022

All Rights Reserved

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Dedication

I dedicate this body of work to my Queen and Soulmate of twenty-three years, Billo. She is the rock that keeps me grounded. To my first bundle of joy, Bintou and the other reasons I do what I do, Mame Bousso, Fatou and Mustafa, you are equally loved by and important to me. To my daughter, Adji Adam who granted me the privilege to her father, I love you.

Acknowledgments

I want to thank first and foremost Allah (SWT) for giving me life, health, peace and sustaining me to this day. I also want to thank my biological parents Bara and Fatou, my adoptive parents Bintou and Thierno for their unconditional love and care. They introduced me to my religious leader and guide, Cheikh Saliou Mbacke, without whose guidance I would not be the person I am today. My heartfelt thanks go to my siblings Aliou, Talla, Maguette, Mor, Seynabou, and Ngouda. We never had anything but love for each other.

My deepest thanks go to my wife, Billo, whose support cannot be described with words, and to my in-laws for gifting, and entrusting me with their first born.  Gratitude to my children for laughter, love and giving me a reason to WIN. Special thanks go to Thomas and Reulan Levin, my parents and host family in the US. My extended family in Minnesota, Alioune and Oumy; in Kuwait, Khalil and Ndeye Lala, in Sweden, Aicha Marena and in Paris; Birane, Pape and Pa Leity; Nene Ndiaye and Ibrahima Wade in Colorado Springs,

My Murid Community here in Denver and throughout the US, I love you for the sake of Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba, our leader. My childhood friends, Antoine, Demba, Pape Fall, Mandiaye and Cheikh Sarr; my college friends, Massene Mboup, Elimane Mbengue, El hadji Thierno Ndaw, Cheikh Badiane, Barrel Gueye, Bintou Gueye, Rokhaya Diop, Codou Diouf, Silmang Konare, Ndeye Yakham Loum, Pape Maguette Diop, Jean Ndione, Babacar Niang, Abib Coulibaly, Abdoulaye Boye, Sidy Fall, Doudou Sidibé, Ndeye Bineta Mbodji, Thierno Thiam, Rama Diabong, Mballo Diallo.  and anyone I did not name, thank you for being there for me.

To all my team members at M&B Enterprises and Mafatihul Bichri TV; too many to list here, thank you for the incredible work you do.

My deepest gratitude goes to my African Leadership Group Family, its founder and leader, Papa M. Dia. Papa, you are more than a brother to me.  The same thanks go to his wife, Astou and my nieces (Maréme, Fama and Matou).  A particular shout out has to go to my Public Speaking and Leadership 101 team (Tuneisha Harris, Ousman Ba, Ms Lori, Kathy) and students. Their love, support and belief in me is unfailing. Because of their push this book is now a reality. If I could list the over 300 of you I would, but smile because you know who you are. 

My editors, Butterfly White and Rose Winters, your dedication and hard work on this project shall be reflected in every step I take on the journey that is my unfolding life.  I am sure I missed some people who are equally deserving of thanks. I apologize for not mentioning you by name. I cherish you and I am eternally grateful. 

CONTENTS

Introduction

The Content of This Book

Chapter One: Sense of Direction

Chapter Two: Understanding

Chapter Three: Commitment

Chapter Four: Courage

Chapter Five: Efforts

Chapter Six : Serenity 

Chapter Seven: Soaring 

Final Thoughts

About the Author

Madiama Mbaye is a husband and a father four children. He is an entrepreneur, founder of Motivate 2 Elevate, a platform made to help him in his vision of becoming a full-fledged participant in creating a better world. The author’s mission is to touch countless lives by the power of the word, helping people find their true calling and unleash their full potential.

After graduating from college, Madiama attended a vocational School (Ensut) in Dakar to study International Business. When he came to the US in 2000, he taught French at a local High School in Kansas City, MO. In 2001. Madiama moved to Denver, CO, worked for a company for about 11 months, then started his own business with a Jani King of Colorado Franchise. He is also the CEO and founder of Mafatihul Bichri International, a media company.

Today alongside his businesses, he teaches Public Speaking and Leadership 101 Classes at the African Leadership Group in Denver, CO.

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Introduction 

He called his sister Mom and his mom the Mother of Allou, the elder among his siblings. That can only happen in an African family. At the naming ceremony of his younger brother, he was ‘given away’ to live with his sister forever. Yes, this village boy was going to live with his sister Binta in the city. This would be a big change and a most welcome one. This would give him the opportunity to attend school, something that would forever change the trajectory of his life. 

Thiarré, their village in the region of Thies, situated roughly about ninety kilometers east of Dakar, the capital of Senegal, West Africa was home to the patriarch Baba and his family. He was a prominent figure in that community. In those days success was measured by the number of hands helping you on the farms, and he had plenty. 

Baba was a polygamous man who successfully raised his children in love and harmony. Typically kids from different moms in the same household would not get along well. However, it was not the case in this one. The siblings loved and respected each other regardless of who their mother was. There was no such thing as ‘half-brother’ or ‘half-sister’, culturally it simply was not a thing.

MamGór was not there to witness that since he was busy being a city boy, away from his native home in Thiarré. Instead, he was raised in a much smaller household, composed of Mom (his sister), Dad (his brother-in-law), and himself. Binta had a daughter named Saynab, but she was raised by her grandmother. When Binta brought MamGór home, everyone told her if her father had wanted to help her, he would have given her a girl as a boy was going to be useless, especially this malnourished one.

The belief here, whether right or wrong, was that a girl would grow faster and help with the household chores. A boy on the other hand, was not expected to do that.  But that was a challenge this boy took up as soon as he was old enough to do so. Binta was a fishmonger who would leave the house every day at five in the morning and head to the beach where she bought the fish she would later sell at the market. Cerno, her husband on the other hand, was a cola retailer. He would leave for work around eight a.m., about the same time MamGór would go to school. Neither of them would come home until late in the evening. 

So, it was up to the young fellow MamGór to handle all household chores while they were gone. Right after school, he would make the beds, sweep the floors, and tidy up the whole place before going to fetch water at the neighborhood fountain. Oftentimes he was the only boy there, as this was a girl’s job. For this reason, he was often teased but he did not care. What mattered to him was gathering the water his mom needed so that she wouldn’t have to go get it when she arrived home after a full day of work at the market.

Despite the hard work and resulting teasing, MamGór had a happy childhood, being the only child to adoptive parents who loved and cherished but did not spoil him. Binta was very strict.  Touching anything that didn’t not belong to you was not allowed. Hanging out with friends all the time was not an option, and curfew was set in stone. You could not and better not be out after sunset. Breaking any of these rules would earn you a severe spanking. As a child, transgression was inevitable, so from time-to-time MamGór earned his share of tough love.

Despite their meager means they made sure he received a good education, first Quranic school at the age of three and a half, then French Public School at the age of six. School was free but they still had to buy school supplies, clothes and shoes. Even though neither parent had attended school, they nevertheless understood its importance and spared no efforts for their boy to be a successful student.

With no tutor or any kind of help with homework, MamGór always managed to be among the top three of his class. His commitment to not disappoint his parents was strong. The effort he was putting into his studies was visible in his scores and grades. No one had to tell or remind him what he needed to do as far as school was concerned. It was as if he knew exactly where he was going and what he wanted even at such a tender age. 

Fast forward twenty-one-plus years later, MamGór graduated from Cheikh Anta Diop University in Dakar Senegal with a Master’s Degree in American Literature after publicly defending his thesis, Subverting the canons: An analysis of Zora Neal Hurston’s ‘Their Eyes Were Watching God’ and Toni Morisson’s ‘Sula’ with distinction. 

That young man who defied cultural norms and broke traditional gender rules about chores, is the author of the book you are reading. My name is Madiama Mbaye (Majama), I am an entrepreneur, the founder of Motivate 2 Elevate, a platform designed to help myself and others realize our visions of becoming full-fledged participants in the creation of a better world. I desire to see a world filled with peace and individual bliss. A world where love and understanding are the catalysts for change. I envision a place where people celebrate achievement in abundance! My mission is to touch countless lives with the power of the words utilized to help people to find their true callings while unleashing their full potential.

I love serving people. Evident since childhood, service has always been my life’s passion. If you allow me to motivate you to take action toward the fulfillment of your dreams, you’ve already made my day! I write and teach about motivation, success, and personal development in order to help people unlock their talents and become their best selves! I uplift and inspire people with the knowledge that changing the world begins with changing ourselves. 

After graduating from college, I attended a vocational School (Ensut) in Dakar where I studied International Business. I taught French at a local high school in Kansas City, Missouri when I came to the United States in 2000. I moved to Denver, Colorado in 2001. I worked for a law firm as a collection agent for about eleven months before starting my own Franchise with Jani King of Colorado. In 2003, I was recognized by Jani King with the Outstanding Customer Service award. A year later, I was bestowed the Franchisee of the Year award, and the Outstanding Customer Service award once more. In 2005, I gained more recognition earning the President’s Award, Diamond’s Club and Dedication and Commitment Award. Three years later, I was awarded Ambassador of the Year along with Best Team Player. Needless to say, I earned my stripes and became a prolific Jani King leader, mentoring many franchise owners by sharing my business knowledge and practices with them. 2013 is when I founded Mafatihul Bichri International, a global media group consisting of an online and satellite TV Station, Bichri TV, Bichri Info, an online newspaper, and a Quranic School for Children in Senegal, West Africa. 

Alongside my businesses, I continue to serve my community teaching at the African Leadership Group (ALG), which you will read more about throughout this