This archive report was first published on 13 October 2019.
As a leader and mentor, I've had the privilege of guiding young people on their journey to success. Recently, I met a young man who asked for my advice on how to attain success in life. I decided to share my insights with him, and in this article, I'll address my message to all young people.
When I asked my young friend to define success, he replied that it meant having a good education and a well-paying job. While these are certainly important aspects of success, they are not the only ones. Lisa Haisha, a renowned expert, defines success as 'unburdened by goals to acquire material items and status, (financially poor people) focus their attention toward those they love — their family and friends.' This perspective highlights the importance of relationships and community in achieving true success.
Young people often believe that success is measured by material wealth, flashy cars, and a glamorous lifestyle. However, true success is about doing things that give meaning to your life. It's about making a positive impact on the world around you. As I always say, 'Success is a good deed done to many people many times.'
Success does not happen by accident. It is preceded by social formation, which includes dedicated parenting, social environments, and personal values. Parents play a crucial role in nurturing their children and young adults. They must prioritize quality time with their children and avoid bribing them with money. This approach may seem old-fashioned, but it's essential for building strong relationships and character.
Social environments, such as schools, books, religious institutions, community, workplace, media, films, and music, are the universities for learning ethical, moral, and spiritual values. These values build character and are essential for achieving true success. The primary responsibility for cultivating positive values falls on the young person. To attain these values, one must develop the discipline of repetitive application of virtues such as magnanimity, humility, prudence, courage, self-control, and a sense of justice.
Many young people live an unplanned life, without a clear vision for their future. To succeed, one must develop a vision for their life, which can be broken down into goals or objectives. This vision should be aligned with their values and passions. A young person could dedicate themselves to raising a model family, creating a great social business, or re-imagining their country's destiny.
My young friend identified education as a driver for success. However, education is not just about book learning or passing examinations. It's about acquiring knowledge that will help you become an innovative and creative problem solver. This is what I call 'disruptive education,' which questions settled doctrine and old ways of doing things.
Career or life's pursuit should be a personal choice by the young person. Although guidance is key, the final decision rests on the shoulders of the young person. I've known young adults whose careers were chosen for them by their parents or teachers, only to abandon them later. Career choice is analogous to choosing a spouse – you get it wrong, and you live to regret it.
A successful young person is usually escorted in life by a mentor, who shares their experiences and guides them. Regular sessions with a mentor can continue to build the character and potential of the mentee. I urged my young friend to surround himself with dedicated and honest friends who will support him on his journey.
Peer mentorship is also an essential ingredient for catalyzing growth in young people. I encourage young people to participate in alumni associations of their former educational institutions, which can provide valuable networks and exposure.
Whether employed or self-employed, hard work, incessant skills development, and discipline will differentiate those who succeed or fail. To succeed, young people must be self-motivated, have positive ambition, exhibit self-drive, and self-respect. Abuse of drugs, alcohol, sex, and other addictive behaviors will disorient the perpetrator and detract them from success.
I shared with my young friend that finding time for volunteer community work is a key measure of success. Giving oneself to others is priceless, and it's essential to identify and correct weaknesses. Accountability partners, trusted friends, or mentors can help with this process. Weaknesses often become strengths once converted.
Failure is a temporary setback, and it must not numb us into lethargy, despair, disillusionment, hurting, and depression. Some young people believe their world has collapsed when they experience failure or a temporary setback. No successful person has not failed many times. After contact with failure, some young people contemplate suicide, but this is a path to killing future success. Talking about our fears, anxieties, problems, and inadequacies with trusted persons or counselors is critical.
Those between 15-35 years are Kenya's and Africa's incoming generation of leaders. They must prepare themselves to take charge and offer sacrificial leadership to avert Africa's decay and usher in Ubuntu and the true renaissance predicted by Thabo Mbeki.
The writer is the Governor of Makueni County.
