VIEWING SUCCESS ONLY FROM THE TOP IS LIMITING

" I want to be as successful as the other man was a remark that a certain youth made" . In a nation that has majority of the population as young people, the desire for quick wealth is common. In the media we have seen stories of companies that have duped innocent investors of their hard earned money. In particular there is a company that collapsed last year after promising the public of abnormal profits. 

We live in a fast changing and competitive world where a youth wants to drive a car or build a mansion within a month. It is noble to want to succeed but do the youths trust the process of becoming successful. Harv Eker in his book Secrets of a Millionaire Mind notes that rich and successful people think long term. This notion is supported by other leaders and writers such as Brian Tracy and John Maxwell. Long term thinking is so key in wealth creation because a number of youths have been invited to financial literacy trainings and they do not turn up because they are busy with other programs. We have seen youths who sell off their land to buy boda bodas .We have seen youths who divert tuition to sports betting activities. We have seen youths who join drug cartels so as to make quick money. A suspected witch doctor murdered two innocent young children in Kiboga District in pursuit of wealth. There was a video clip of a man who cut children with a panga while seeking for a ransom from the parents. Last year there was a candidate who was arrested for trying to  cheat national exams. More still recently a youth was arrested by police for attempting to use a panga to rob a certain shop.

The above are case studies of trying to show the reader that the road to success is a process and they should not just admire the top( accomplishment ) but strive to be worthy candidates for the top.


HOW TO REACH THE TOP

1.Power of a clear vision. The Wright brothers who invented the plane faced severe criticism but they did not give up on their dream. Dr. Dennis Kimbro in his book Think And Grow Rich: A Black Choice gives an example of how Oprah Winfrey faced a tough childhood but because of her belief in the vision she is now one of the wealthiest women in the world.

2. Power of long term planning. Growth is by choice. This is stipulated by John Maxwell in his book the 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. The youths must be encouraged to engage in long term planning.

3.Power of association. It was Jim Rohn who noted that a person is the average of the 5 people they associate with. The youths must be encouraged to associate with successful people.


The pursuit of success is a noble and worthwhile venture. We live in a generation that is skewed towards appreciating the accomplishment rather than the process that led to the result. When a road is being constructed there is a lot of transformation that takes place. It is always muddy during the construction process. But when we see the tarmac we forget the process. That is human nature. May the dear reader remember that even Coca Cola which is a gigantic company was once an idea. May the dear reader remember that Equity Bank which is one of the biggest financial conglomerates in Africa was once a small building society in Kenya.


Phillip Kiryowa 

Finance and Leadership Coach

+256752615916


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