IS IT ONLY MONEY THAT DEFINES OUR POTENTIAL?

 There was a tragic incident that happened this year where a young man was cornered and beaten up for gunning down a prominent business man in town. There is also a suspected witch doctor who murdered  two innocent children in Kiboga District . These two example allude to the fact that there are different routes to accumulating wealth. The question that I pose , Is it only money that defines our potential?

I am not denying the fact that money is a very important currency in our lives. But then aren't there other salient features of a wealthy person apart from money? In his book secrets of a millionaire mind, Harv Eker noted that rich and successful people think long term. We have witnessed some music artistes and sportsmen who had a lot of money but ran bankrupt. 

We are living in a generation where the youths who form over 70% of the population majorly appreciate physical cash than anything else. In fact I met a group of youths who noted that they do not agree with stories of businessmen who started small and ended up building successful business empires. So many youths are invited for capacity building seminars and they do not turn up because there was no transport allowance. . Until we change this narrative of youths only defining their potential by the money they have we are still going to face dilemmas of financial illiteracy and rising youth unemployment.

OTHER INDICATORS  OF POTENTIAL APART FROM MONEY

1.Power of vision. Brian Tracy notes that successful leaders have a long term horizon.

2.The power of discipline. No one an conquer others if they can not conquer themselves.

3.Time management. Time is a resource that should be respected

4.Power of focus. Without a clear focus even with a lot of money it can be wasted

5.Power of association. Why is Warren Buffet a friend to Bill Gates. This is because they speak the same language. in Kampala they wealthy businessmen have an association called Bakwagalana group.


Money is an important currency of life. Unfortunately it is overrated in defining personal potential. In a country where over 70% of the population is below 30 years, we are at crossroads if money is the only major yardstick for measuring potential.


Phillip Kiryowa

Finance and Leadership Coach

+256752615916

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