Editor’s note: Bright Njuguna writes on keys to a successful life in Kenya.
Most people would pay a fortune to break the success code. However, the statistics out there show that fewer are succeeding in their endeavours.
Now, apart from the obvious values of hard work and diligence, one must learn some values around subtleness if they are to birth their purpose.
Here’s a list of 10 important things, or values if you like, that are necessary for one to succeed in Kenya and Africa.
1. Avoid disclosing your ideas ahead of the execution. Many people disclose what they intend to do before they have made their first step.
The result is after broadcasting their vision, it henceforth becomes hard to bring their thoughts to fruition. The truth is some of the people you share your thoughts with are energy takers.
This lot takes away energy from you and your goals; the next thing you know, you will be struggling to get anything done. Also, sharing your goals makes your mind conceive the false signal that you are already living the dream.
2. Be a doer. Kenya and Africa at large are full of talkers, seldom doers. As such, there are so many ‘experts’ who have never put to test what they teach. It is easy to come across web developers and tech engineers with great explanations and ideas but who, for some reason, abhor the actual work. This group of people are also very good at criticising apps, websites, and work done by other people. As such, the country and the continent are brimming with armchair experts with lots of theories but who would never attempt doing a thing. A certain philosopher said, To do is to become. If you are reading this article, try by all accounts to be a doer. Shut up, put on your overalls, and do the actual work. Great explanations in accented English do not yield much. Doing is at the core of a successful life.
3. Kenyans and Africans are not quite pro-development. In this part of the world, it is commonplace to find people training their arrows at the persons doing some good or trying to improve their communities, workplaces, and country. Therefore, it is important to imbibe formlessness to avoid becoming a target. For instance, Kenyans profess to detest corruption, but most would fight tooth and nail to save thieving politicians from their tribe. Therefore, exercise caution when fighting corruption and cartels. Understand this for a successful life.
4. Make sure to live within your financial means. Kenyans and Africans are obsessed with show-offs. Needless to say, the show-offs are as a result of craving for validation. Avoid expensive buys beyond your means. Take your children to schools you can afford. Importantly, grow big from the inside (spirit and esteem) so that your value is not dependent on outside validation. Proceed to save and invest so that you have something to cover you for a rainy day. How well you understand and live this truth will impact your economic and emotional well-being while shielding you from unnecessary pressures and stress.
5. Avoid show-offs and bragging: Avoid telling everyone about your buying expensive buys or about your farms or pieces of land that you have purchased through “hard work.” Stop bragging about the expensive shoes you bought online. Avoid sharing about your illustrious children and their grades. What’s more, talking about car upgrades and such shenanigans irritates people. I will leave this one here, as it is an open secret that no one likes braggarts and proud people. Also, no one likes people who portray themselves to be better than others. This is important for a succesful life.
6. Be mysterious by living a quiet life: I have noted with concern that most celebrities may have troubled lives. The cacophony surrounding the societal pressure to succeed really works negatively on them. It is commonplace to find the said celebrities breaking at some point. What many may not know is there are so many people leading great lives and who are not on social media. Why must you advertise your life on social media? Is it because you are looking for validation? Try a quiet life, and you might just discover the joy of living. Being mysterious and private also helps you build at your own pace without debilitating pressure from various quarters.
7. No respect for friendships. You have to be careful with what you reveal to your so-called friends. This is because there’s no telling when the shit will hit the ceiling and your former friend will reveal details of your secret talks. Under these circumstances, it is important to treat most of the friendships as casual and, as such, shun revealing too much.
8. Create strategic friendships: Rarely anyone comes from nowhere in Kenya and in Africa. You see the polished young man who has just secured a plum post in a government agency? Yes, the truth is connections had a big part to play. What’s more, it is near impossible to secure any business with the government, say securing a tender, without you knowing the right people sitting in strategic places. What’s more, connections and the family one hails from mean a lot and can determine whether you will live or die. Even police are careful in how they handle suspects from rich and influential families.
9. Have at least three sources of income. The economic climate in Kenya is quite unpredictable. What’s more, even most of the so-called middle class are just a tragedy away from poverty. Even worse, politicians in Kenya and Africa in general are competing on who steals more.
Suffice to say, politicians in this part of the world care less about the tomorrow of the youths. They borrow billions of dollars, which they steal and stash abroad with abandon. Whether a country eventually collapses is none of their business. Under this kind of environment, it is important for one to create and nurture personal safety nets. This is to say, if the politicians mess with your formal employment, have a side hustle you can turn to to pay your bills to ensure a successful life.
10. Eat healthily. Travel, live, and love. Savour plenty of delicious organic foods in Kenya. Eat clean, especially if you are age 35 years and above. Also, travel and notice just how breathtaking Africa is. Also, find yourself and a lover and enjoy life to the fullest. This is an important facet of a successful life.,
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the position of GOTTA.news. We welcome writers to give their views on various social and political issues. Send your opinion to info@gotta.news.
