This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
Published on July 17, 2019, I've often been asked about the secret to my success. While hard work is certainly a crucial ingredient, it's not the only factor. In fact, I've come to realize that it's just one of many elements that need to come together in order to achieve success.
My friend recently asked me if working hard is the ultimate secret to success. But when I thought about it, I realized that it's not just about working hard – it's about working smart. It's about being able to identify opportunities and take calculated risks. It's about being able to budget and prioritize your spending. And it's about being able to move on to new ventures when the time is right.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was giving up too easily. I had all these great business ideas, but since I was in an 'unsure' state, I wanted all of them to work. I ended up trying them all, and by the time I realized that I was wasting time, two years had passed and I hadn't accomplished anything tangible. I regrouped, and that's when things started to change.
Another issue I had was around money. What helped me is that I got involved with the family budget even before I had strong businesses. In high school, I sold mandazis and T-shirts, and used some of the money I made to help my mother pay my fees. After I finished school, I pledged to help with the bills at home. This gave me early knowledge of budgeting and setting spending priorities.
As an entrepreneur, I've learned that no matter how small a business is, the level of respect you should have for its accounts should be similar to what you'd have if it were a multinational corporation. DJ Loop taught me that. Always invest in what made you money in the first place, and then save, take a risk on an opportunity and, once in a while, reward yourself.
Businesses are selfish, they want you all to themselves. If you can't afford to give them attention, then you will not see the results you project. That's why having a great idea doesn't equal success.
