In ‘Fine Wine’ Uri Ngozichukwuka paints picture of resilience, durability

The term, “fine wine” is typically used to describe someone or something that is vintage – although steeped in rich history or culture, yet still relevant and thriving in contemporary times. Extrapolating that thinking into the title of her book: Fine Wine; The Super Confidence Logue – Uri Ngozichukwuka paints a picture of resilience and durability. The subtext underscores how significant a role confidence plays in life’s journey; many at times it is the difference between greatness and mediocrity. In a world where people’s confidence is fast becoming endangered species – this book shows up just to remind everyone that confidence is your superpower and it must never be outsourced to anyone or surrendered to anything under any circumstances. In this book, Uri explores what she refers to as the different kinds of logues such as monologues, dialogues, epilogues – these for her represent conversations, convictions and conclusions.

Uri submits that confidence shouldn’t only be something you possess, it should be something that possesses you. She lucidly disambiguates between being confident and feeling confident; the former implying a state of being that is not influenced or affected by external circumstances whilst the latter infers the validation that is derived from happenstance or events. The idea of confidence as a signature of great people is critical because in life it is almost impossible to control the outcome of events but confidence can position a person to respond to situations with the needed attitude.

Uri lays bare her personal and professional struggles; she ushers the reader into her vulnerable space and graciously documents how she deals with the voices in her head. Everyone who has ever tried to achieve something significant would not be surprised by this; the cacophony of thoughts that invade your head to suggest that you are an imposter, not competent enough, not connected enough or not charismatic enough. She educates her readers that her successes in life have not come in the absence of these voices but despite their suggestions. Even when she lost herself, her business and her marriage – she refused to concede to those voices even when she was at rock bottom. This book in itself is a testament to one of such victories over those voices; she could have easily accepted that nobody would ever buy copies of it – even as a prolific author, this isn’t her first rodeo.

She shares how purposeful actions can help in no small measure to quell those voices which she describes as “psychological marauders and bandits of destinies”. Some of these voices come from our interactions on social media, which although has its many benefits has also made more people insecure and projected unnecessary pressure from other people’s curated lifestyles. As we have become a gadget-dependent generation, we have increasingly become tossed by the ever-changing algorithms. Uri also highlights the importance of understanding times and seasons. This can be a tough sell to a generation that has been conditioned to expect instant results. Waiting for your time is never passive, neither is it a sign that you lack confidence; somethings just take a while to cook – as the young people would say.

Confidence is an inside job! Most of us have always wondered by some people who may not be as talented as we are seem to get the results we are not getting. It’s simple; what they lack in gifts – they make up in guts. Confidence is super attractive; it sends all the right signals to your environment that you are ready to get it. Whilst you’re second-guessing yourself, others are taking chances on themselves. From setting up her non-governmental organization which serves persons with disabilities to founding a media consultancy – Uri shares how she had had to do many things even when the odds were stacked up against her. Ultimately, Uri points to God as the source of confidence.

Fine Wine; The Super Confidence Logue is Uri Ngozichukwuku’s attempt to capture important conversations that must be had by everyone desirous of greatness. She walks the reader through her thinking in the dark moments of her life and shares the backstory to what many would consider a success story in her personal and professional lives. It that kind of book you want to read before the beginning of a new year, a new project, a new relationship or simply a new you. It would help you have better internal conversations with yourself – something many people struggle to do.