OUR PAST SHOULD NOT DETERMINE OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 I met a certain lady who told me that she had given upon dreaming big. In coaching we are taught that every person has an infinite potential. In the 5 years of conducting financial literacy training I have picked up so many lessons from communities. A number of youths have allowed  their past experiences to determine their future. History is full of examples of men and women who faced immense obstacles but did not quit dreaming big.

The Wright Brothers faced immense criticism when they developed plans of developing an aero plane. Thomas Edison faced criticism when developing the light bulb. In fact he failed several times but he did not allow failure to define him. Dr. Ben Carson who wrote Think Big was once the last student in class. Today he is one of the leading neurosurgeons in the world. It seems to be a pattern that some of the most successful people have also faced the greatest setbacks in life.

There are so many youths with brilliant ideas that can shape the world but they allow to be bullied by friends. Opinions of people have led to the death of so many world class ideas. In fact the late Dr. Myles Munroe noted that the wealthiest place on earth is the cemetery. This is because that is where most of the incomplete businesses reside. A number of accomplished businessmen never went far in terms of education. However formal learning never prevented them from setting up big companies which are employing several graduates. Professor Mohammad Yunus started Grameen Bank in Bangladesh as a project to help the rural poor who were being excluded by formal banking institutions. Today it is apace setter in the Microfinance industry. Equity Bank started as a small building society in Kenya. Today it is a financial conglomerate . 

There is a tendency of the current generation of the current generation to view success from only the top. This is so limiting because as we have seen from the above examples that every great achievement starts small. The reason why we see an increase in gambling in Uganda is that the dominant thought of most young people that success should be achieved without any effort. So instead of saving money a number of them use the money without a plan and end up in financial distress. There is hope. I know of an investment club which was started by university students and today it is worth billions in investments.

HOW TO ADVANCE FINANCIALLY

1.Have a long term vision

2.Save as you earn

3.Create an emergency fund 

4.Join a financial  master mind

5. Attend financial literacy courses

6.Research before you invest

7.Celebrate small victories

8.Learn from past mistakes 

The past should never determine our financial destiny. We have examples of successful businessmen and women who faced so many set backs but today are global business leaders. We have seen from the above that mindset change plays a critical role in altering our financial decisions. I have witnessed it in the 5 years of conducting financial literacy training at a grassroot level.


For individual and Corporate financial literacy training contact:

Coach Phillip Kiryowa

Personal Finance Coach (CMA)

Master Trainer, Bank of Uganda 

Founder, Advanced Empowerment Link 

0752615916

For Financial Freedom and Sustainable Enterprises.


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