By Pamela Agboga.
Your background has no right to put your back on the ground
– Sell-out secret from the book ‘From College Drop-out to Corporate Sell-out’ by Steve Harris.
What do Oprah, Joyce Meyer and Barack Obama have in common? They all had humble beginnings. Maybe you do too. Did you ever read the literature book ‘Without a Sliver Spoon’ by Eddie Iroh? I still remember the author’s description of the protagonist, breaking dried palm kernel seeds for lunch. When I was younger we did it for fun. So while reading the book I wondered how those tiny nuts could fill anyone’s tummy, child or not.
Before that book, and for a short while after, I did not understand the phrase ‘born with a silver spoon.’ But over time, I did. By the time I had graduated from the University and started seeking a job, I understood it even better. It hurts worse than a toothache to see your mates (the silver spooners) snag jobs in big companies while you go for interview after interview without getting one offer letter, because you lack the ‘connections.’ And in business you might be finding it a challenge to ‘hammer’ the contract that will turn the tide for you.
The stress can make you bitter and whiny, but if you challenge it, your situation and circumstance can change. It all depends on one person; YOU.
1. Say you can
Do not say your situation cannot change; that you are stuck in a vicious cycle; you CAN change it. So many people have done it, you are just one more. It is very possible to change your life. Just change the way you think about things. Until you decide to believe in the possibility of it, you will not see the opportunities for change strategically placed at several points of your life’s journey.
2. Look out for your ‘big break’
Here’s a scene from the movie ‘Dumb and Dumber’. The main characters (two guys) are standing on a road, whining and complaining about how they never get a break, and here comes this busload of ladies, going on holiday, and the bus stops as one of the ladies informs the guys that they are looking to employ two men who will travel with them and help out with stuff like sunscreen and such.
The guys stare at her for a moment, and she (and I too) expect to hear them say ‘We’ll take the job.’ Instead they point down the road and say, ‘The village is that way.’ The lady (and I) are stunned. Then she thanks them very nicely, and off the bus goes. Then the guys make me feel like getting into the television to slap them as they say something along this line; ‘Wow, can you imagine, some lucky guy is gonna be hanging with those chicks for two weeks. WHEN ARE WE GONNA GET A BREAK?’
You are smarter than that. Take the time to examine your life daily and don’t miss your big breaks.
3. Plan Ahead
Before the big bucks come rolling in, start planning what you intend to do with it. On the tv game show
Who Wants to be a Millionaire, Frank Edoho always asks the person on the hot seat what he plans to do with the money
before they start playing. Stories abound about people who win the lottery and within months are in a worse financial state than before they won it. That is because the windfall came as a surprise, and they had not adequately prepared for it. Map out a plan for the future before the money comes, and when it does, you will be better prepared to use it to create more sustainable wealth for yourself.
Fame and fortune are available for those who dare to believe, and work towards it.
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This article was first published on 7th December 2012 and updated on December 11th, 2012 at 8:13 pm
pagboga
Chojare Pamela Agboga is a Legal Practitioner, Writer, Editor, Chartered Secretary and Administrator. She is currently working on her first novel 'Weekends are for Loving' as well as a devotional for women.
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