This is yet another beautiful moment together with you, our amiable readers on this Author’s Corner, as we have come once again with a special interview with one of our amazing authors who doubles as renowned medical practitioner. In this exclusive interview with Tebeba Publisher, SAATER IGYUSE expounds some medical principles that guide the life of men in actualizing their fullest potentials. In a profound manner, he speaks about his journey into writing; becoming an author; publishing his books and the impacts of this medical training on his messages. Join us as he exposes some invaluable lessons from the medical world.
Please, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Dr Saater Igyuse. I am a speaker and founder of Leadership Intelligence Inc. I hold an MBBS degree from the Igbinedion University and other postgraduate degrees from Queen’s University, Belfast and Liverpool’s John Moores University. I am also a Commonwealth scholar, and a recipient of the Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme Awards. I have written four books: Woman Exposed, Men Exposed, Leadership Intelligence and All-or-None Law: the science behind focus and excellence.
When did you first realize you wanted to be an author and why did you decide to be one?
When I was in secondary school, I was so thrilled by science that I started collecting and collating scientific articles to publish. I never published them, and looking back, I am happy I never did. However, that was a pointer of the seed within. Between then and when I got into the university, I had written dozens of books, most of them coined from ideas I had synthesised while reading books of other authors.
In 2007, I decided that it was time to birth the seed, so I worked on my first book, “Woman Exposed!”. The sales were amazing, I had invitations to speak at events, and for a moment, I felt like a popular author.
Can you tell us a bit about your journey as an author? What were the struggles or challenges you’ve encountered and surmounted along this journey?
It has not always been easy as an author. When I wrote Woman Exposed in 2007, I had no kobo to get it published but I knew that the time had come and, as the saying goes, it is impossible to stop an idea whose time it was to be unveiled. I had great friends in the university so I went to them and discussed my idea. Quite a few were willing to donate to the cause, while others loaned me to get the book published, even though they later refused to get paid back.
How did you come across TEBEBA Publishing firm and why did you choose TEBEBA as your publisher?
I had All-or-None Law ready to be published as far back as 2018 but I wanted a good publisher to get the book out, so I kept exploring. In 2020, I saw a book written by Dr Ayangbayi, whom I have great respect for, so I reached out to her to inquire about her publisher, she told me that it was TEBEBA. I then decided right away that TEBEBA was going to handle my book publishing.
Now, let’s talk about your book, “All-or-None Law”. What inspired you to write it?
As I mentioned earlier, I love science and I’m often willing to find out the scientific backings of the things I do. I had a draft about helping people to live more focused lives because most people tend to pursue too many things at the same time and the end of the day, don’t achieve any of those things. While doing my research, I recalled one of the principles I studied in Medicine, which is utilized by neurons (the predominant cells that make up the brain), and which makes the neuron, perhaps, the most focused and efficient cell in the human body.
What is your book about and who is it for?
The book is about being focused and achieving excellence in any area of life. Just as the neuron is super-efficient, using the principle of all-or-none, we humans are an extension of the cells of our body, and so by utilizing the same principle, we can always produce excellent results. This principle helps us recognize the most important item on our list and then constrains us to focus just on that until completion.
While anybody can benefit from the book, I see young people who are striving to create a successful career as my primary target. The reason is that we are in the age of “information overload” and if we are not selective, we will take in so much and still not benefit from any of it.
What impact does your medical science background have on your general outlook on life, success and accomplishment?
A lot. I see science as irrefutable; if something can be explained scientifically, no one will doubt it. Because of my background, I often tend to see a connection between things which makes it easier to understand and explain to others. I also tend to listen more and see things from different perspectives. Of course, that is expected of a medical person, to probe several angles before arriving at a diagnosis or treatment pattern.
How would you describe the All-or-None Law as it relates to the human brain and mind?
All-or-None law is scientific but everything we do rests on this principle. You are reading now because the neuron is working based on all-or-none law. You feel cold or hot because the neurons working by this same principle. You are skilled at what you do because every time you perform that task, the neuron gets insulated with more fibres (the more insulation the neuron gets, the more skilful you become at the task).
The All-or-None law simply means that in the brain, neurons do not perform partial conductance. It is either the impulse is strong enough to cause a complete action or too weak to excite the neuron into action. There is no in-between with neurons and no uncompleted tasks.
To people with little knowledge in the medical field, how would you describe the neuron and its function?
Cells come together to form tissues. Tissues come together to form organs. Examples of organs include the brain, heart, lungs etc. If you, therefore, want to understand any organ, you study the cells that make up the organ. In this case, the cells that make up the brain are called neurons.
For instance, when you touch a hot object, the information is transmitted to the brain through these neurons; the brain interprets the information and sends signals down to your fingers, telling them to move away from the hot object. Neurons are like messengers, carrying information to and from the brain.
What are some of the popular assertions that you challenged in your book and why they need reconsidering?
A popular saying goes that “half a loaf is better than none”. I believe that this is a myth because the mindset of “half a loaf” keeps people from getting a “full loaf” and achieving excellence; they achieve a small level of success and it ends there. These people often tell themselves that half bread is better than none, meaning that the little they have achieved is better than not achieving anything at all.
Challenging this myth comes with a mindset that what is worth doing is worth doing well, and if it is not worth doing well, then energy should not be expended on it at all. I can’t agree more with American author, John Mason, who said, “Good is the enemy of great.” As long as we are satisfied with good results, we will never achieve great results.
How can people become more focused and effective in their endeavours?
The brain cannot focus on two significant things at the same time; that’s scientific truth; try writing and saying different things at the same time. As long as people are chasing two rabbits, they will catch none. To be efficient, we must find out which of the two rabbits is bigger, then use all our energies to chase it.
Ross Garber “Many things can be important, but there can only be one most important thing.” People must find out the most important thing that can bring them significant fulfilment and then utilize their knowledge, skills and expertise to go after such and get it accomplished.
What can people do to achieve their set goals and build a remarkable and promising future?
Find out one thing that is most important in the pursuit of your lifetime goals. While there are many ways of finding out the one thing, as explained in my book, significance and urgency often define the really important things. Once the significant and urgent things are known, prioritize them until you arrive at the most important thing. Then, pursue that thing with all you have. Never be distracted by another thing that might arise.
In your book, “All-or-None Law,” you emphasized the need for excellence. What are the practical ways to achieving success in life?
Achieving success comes with going the extra mile. Even the Bible says “If anyone forces you to go a mile, go with them two miles.” While most people look for shortcuts to excellence, the real pathway is going the extra mile. Doing more than you are asked to do and giving your best effort as the least performance. Also, we must cultivate the habit of continual reading and learning because what is considered excellent today may not be tomorrow.
How can a man attain the level of self-actualization and transcendence?
It is inherent in all humans to reach their highest aspirations and potentials. The desire to reach greater heights is the power that is in us seeking to be expressed, and until such power finds expression, man is never truly happy. It behoves on us therefore to constantly seek for more, and never settling for less; it is only through this we can be all that God created us to be. Transcendence means living beyond yourself; it is helping others reach their best as well without feeling insecure about their successes.
What is your advice to those who are thinking it is too late for them to go into business?
I believe that if a person is determined to achieve anything and such a person sticks to the principles that produce that result, nothing in the universe can stop such a person.
What inspires all you do today?
The desire to be all that God created me to be. On that day, I want God to say to me, “Well done good and faithful servant.
What has been your most memorable moment so far while working on your book project?
In 2010, I had the privilege of sharing a platform with the then Minister of Information, late Dora Akunyili, then Minister of Education (state), Aisha Dukku, the Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Gabriel Igbinedion, among other dignitaries. It was a great opportunity to present my book, “Leadership Intelligence,” at the 10th anniversary of Igbinedion University, Okada.
As an experienced author, what advice do you have for someone who wants to get his/her book published?
Just do it. Don’t wait for a perfect condition and don’t wait for a perfect manuscript. The truth is, even now, I still keep seeing things that I should have included in my book, so if you want to keep improving the book until it is perfect, the wait will be endless.
There are three other things: Have a good title, an attractive cover design and a good publisher.
Which authors do you admire?
I used to read a lot of John Maxwell’s, now I admire and read a lot of Grant Cardone’s because he has a mindset of all-or-none.
What is the best piece of advice you have received as an author?
“Do not be bothered about money, just do your thing. If you do it well, money will come”.
Do you intend to write more books and why?
Definitely. There are too many ideas, which I have conceived that need to be shared.
Where and how can we purchase your book?
Thanks to TEBEBA, my book, is available in most global bookstores such as Amazon, Kobo and Barnes and Noble. In Nigeria, Rovingheights have been doing well in selling my books. It is also available on TEBEBA Books.
What are your final words to the audience?
Success is never achieved by default but by intense efforts. If you want it badly enough, you will go the extra mile to achieve it. Go ahead and do it, the world is waiting for you.