Be your best self to the limit!
Imagine being on a rollercoaster ride without knowing the path ahead – that’s entrepreneurship. And while you may think you’re prepared for what’s to come, there’ll still be many unexpected twists, turns, sudden drops and uphill climbs. But you’ll quickly see that experience is a great teacher...
...Up to this point my early struggles were very well documented and I even questioned my career choice more than a few times. There were little to any easy moments in my first few years...
...most people are very hard on themselves. If you ask a random person, chances are they will tell you they are not happy where they are or feel they should be further. One might give a slightly more more optimistic response in saying that they are not where they want to be - as yet....
We’re still at the beginning of 2022, which also means we're still in the ‘New Year, New Me' (rolls eyes) part of the year. This also means the prevalence of resolutions which get a bad rap largely because we’re generally quite horrible at actually keeping them....
It’s the first month of 2022, and many persons, including myself, have made plans and goals for the new year. Persons will want to see numbers decrease on the scale and increase on the bank statement. Persons will want to find love again or for the first time. Persons will aim to cut ties with toxic people and/or stop their own destructive behavior. Whatever change one chooses to attempt, success will be hard to attain if one pursues the new goals while holding on to old habits.
In the wake of the recent pandemic, much has been said about the need for greater financial literacy and the idea of creating generational wealth. This piece will examine the reverse - generational poverty (poverty for at least 2 generations). In The Bahamas, this would be considered a ‘generational curse’ and we’d say that ‘the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.’ The truth is that poverty, just like genetics, is passed down from parents to their children (and culturally); but unlike genetics, poverty is learned.
This law, among other things, discourages persons from carelessly accepting unrealistic promises or things of value at seemingly no cost. While the offer/gift may be appealing in the moment, the recipient will likely pay in the future. Also, it is important to recognize that the free lunch can present itself in many different ways. While this is a financial literacy post, it doubles as a post about life as well in discussing the true cost of the free lunch.
...the bigger lesson is one of ‘Lo barato sale caro’ - A Spanish phrase which means things that come too cheaply or easily will eventually become expensive. A corresponding phrase in English would be ‘if something is too good to be true, it probably is.’...
I worked with a gentleman many years ago (Let's call him John). Every time I think of him, I am reminded of the lesson that I learned from him - that no matter how bad things may be, I must always be my best self, no matter what. In what become a highly teachable moment, he became the man that lost two jobs.
Essentially, the nature of office politics and the desire for upward mobility will challenge most relationships in the workplace. This begs the question, what is the upside to having work relationships?
WILFRED BAIN 