Break(ing) Bad Habits through Molaakgosi’s self-help book
Lesang Maswabi | Sunday August 25, 2024 06:00
The author of other previously published books, namely, Pursuit of God’s Kind of Goodness, Living A Life of Purpose, Stop Blaming God and Unforgiving Heart, Molaakgosi has since established herself as a local scribe focusing on motivational and inspirational writing. First printed and published in 2023, Molaakgosi says, “Break Bad Habits seeks to demonstrate how trying to end one’s unwanted habits can be easily achieved by God’s grace.” Arts&Culture visited the evocative author to find out what inspired her to write the book. “I observed that when things go wrong in our lives, we blame it on others and forget to look into ourselves.
We must always be conscious about what we do and how often we do it because it can simply develop into a good or bad habit. With that in mind, we must break those bad habits which are acting against us,” she said. As to how the book’s title, Break Bad Habits was conceived, Molaakgosi emphasised the need to nourish good habits. She continued: “Bad habits sabotage our goals, missions and our intentions. It is therefore upon us as individuals to introspect and purpose in our hearts that we desire to break out of these bad habits, which are bringing more harm than good to us. Good habits must be nourished and maintained because they lead us to live a better life. However, bad habits sabotage our goals, missions and our intentions. They start as small things which in turn, if not taken care of, can control us. We continuously do them even though they are self-destructive.” From the initial 100 copies that were printed, Molaakgosi says, the sales have been good so far as almost all copies have been taken.
I think this stemmed from the positive response that I received from readers after the book launch,” she said. “Most had described the book as simple to read and interesting as it addresses our everyday life. It is also transformative as one introspects in his/her life. Some regarded it as an eye opener as certain things that we do, we never thought they were habits. Above all, readers had observed that it is written in a general manner as it does not point a finger at any person,” she said. Molaakgosi said the book calls for reprogramming of one’s mind hence mindset change. Molaakgosi has been a teacher since 2000. She studied at Molepolole College of Education and the University of Botswana. She is a very ardent learner and as such earned herself a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Botswana in 2016. She also did part-time studies with Impact Bible Training College in Ghana and earned a Diploma in 2019 and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Theology in 2022.
Though Molaakgosi belongs to the same genre as that of internationally renowned authors such as Mark Manson and James Clear, the former’s writing approach is, however, more spiritual. The trio all have a common thread, in that their works specialise in self-emancipation and personal development. It has been evident throughout her writing(s) that she is passionate about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. There is not one in her 10-Chaptered Break Bad Habits book that she misses to refer the reader to God. Starting from the opening Acknowledgement, Preface and Conclusion to the Closing Back-cover, the prophetic and prolific Molaakgosi religiously regularly drops sermons and psalms, proverbs and quotes from the Bible in between the chapters. That is the one significant aspect that separates the creative-native Molaakgosi from both such authors as Manson, born in Austin, Texas and Clear, born in Hamilton, Ohio. Another notable facet that distinguishes Molaakgosi from the same category of writers mentioned above despite sharing similar moral backgrounds and identical philosophies is her simple style of writing. She has chosen to use the most basic vocabulary of the Queen’s language, making it even easier for the average reader to comprehend.