Written to the person I was 6 years ago. When the only money I had to my name was in the change jar. TLDR: Don’t give up.
If I succeed, if I become rich, it won't be an accident. I recently won business where the commission alone was 6 figures. Someone said “wow, it takes some people years to do that. you did it in a few months." And my sister interjected: "it did take him years. He had to learn everything that got him to that point."
I’m born with certain advantages. I try to make sure those advantages were not wasted on me. Everyone has some advantage. A strong work ethic, a great intellect, beauty. Even dealing with challenge and disability can be an advantage. Who hasn’t watched Hamilton, “a bastard, orphan... grow up to be a hero and scholar” and marveled at how he turned a chip on his shoulder into the US Constitution and so much more?
The roman stoic philosophers said: The obstacle is the way. the challenges you face, the trauma you suffered, that is the propellant that will launch you forward, that gives you a drive to achieve something, to be successful, to be rich, if that’s what you want.
The injustice I see in the world makes me get off my ass and get out of bed in the morning. Makes me learn when no teacher is going to check my work, makes me do background research for clients that I’ll never be paid for, makes me listen to productivity podcasts while I stand in lines.
The drive makes me confront myself with uncomfortable questions. When I lied, I read a book on why people lie. When I had the choice between money and integrity to my life’s vision I chose integrity more often than not. And when I didn’t choose integrity I tried to fix the bridges I burned. And when those people didn’t want the bridges mended I did my best to put feelings of guilt aside...you have to break a few eggs to make an omelet.
For 6 years, running my own business in rural Kenya, I was so far below the poverty line that I was not even legally required to file taxes. Based on the time I put into the work of the commission I won my hourly rate was $2000/hr. Based on all the work I had to do before then, my hourly rate was below minimum wage in some states ($4/hour).
I may not become successful, and I may not become rich. My hard work may not pay off; There is some randomness to life that is inescapable. I could be applying myself in the wrong way. I may die tomorrow. But if I do succeed, it won’t be by accident.
To the person I was 6 years ago (and whoever else needs to hear this): Keep doing the work. If you succeed it won’t be an accident.
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