WAS OPRAH WINFREY BORN WEALTHY?

 We live in a society that prefers to look at success from the top. And indeed it is the right of every person to become successful. However are we ready to pay the price? When one reads the stories of the Black Americans who shape and shaped America many of them did not have a good start. Some were raised in difficult circumstances. I picked interest in the story of Oprah Winfrey who is one of the wealthiest and most influential women in the world. She had a difficult childhood as pointed out in Think and Grow Rich : A Black Choice by Dr. Dennis Kimbro. In this book there are several mind blowing examples of determined men and women who saw being in the United States of America as a great opportunity of realizing their dreams(The American Dream). Oprah Winfrey had a clear vision and she realized it despite the circumstances.

The message to Uganda's youth is for them to pick a lesson. They should value the process of success than success itself. I have seen youths wasting their lives in unproductive ventures such as taking drugs and crime .There is increasing crime especially in many parts of Kampala simply because some sections of the youths want the easy way out. Society will not transform when the majority of the population who are the young people are not told the realities of life. The desire to become wealthy is a noble goal and if the majority of the population embraces it ,Uganda and the world will be a better place. However all those leaders who have made a mark on the world are people who decided to change their thinking about  their hard circumstances. It is said that attitude determines altitude. To change the trajectory of Uganda the predominant mindset of young people should be agents of positive transformation but not youths who only wait for already existing jobs. The youths have the power to change their circumstances given that they have the right mindset geared towards becoming agents of positive transformation. Already a number of young people are doing it which is a plus and it is a demonstration that many others can follow suit.

Uganda is a hailed for being one of the most enterprising countries but many businesses collapse before their first birthday. But who will change these statistics. It will be the bold youths who will take up their space to be counted. 

HOW TO REALISE PERSONAL WEALTH

1.Have a clear vision for your life

2.Be focused on your dream

3.Associate with the right people

4. Think Big as Dr. David Schwartz advocated in his book, The Magic of Thinking Big

5.Start to save and invest early

6.Invest in life long learning

7.Avoid self comparisons. Each person is different and unique. Each one of us has a special contribution to make in the world.

8. Think long term as advocated for by Harv Eker in his book Secrets of a Millionaire Mind.

The story of Oprah Winfrey should inspire a youth or a reader of this message that they should not give up on life. I have spoken to so many young people and told them that they are the future of the world .If we can inspire more youth to believe in themselves and their potential, then we shall be on a positive life trajectory. Wealth creation is possible but it requires a change of mindset and taking action points towards your ultimate dream.


Phillip Kiryowa

Finance and Leadership Coach

+256752615916


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